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EiisToie^r 



-OF THE- 



Fifth West Virginia Cavalry, 



FORMERLY THE- 



SECOND VIRGINIA INFANTRY, 



-AND OF- 



Battery G, First West Va. Light Artillery, 



BY 

FRANK S. READER, 

Author of the Life of Moody and Sankey. 




NEW BRIGHTON, PA. I 

Paily News. Frank S. Reader, Editor and Prop'r 
1890. 



COPYRIGHT 1890, BY FRANK S. READER. 



S-^G 




MAJOR GENERAL ROBERT H MILROY. 



PREFACE. 



This work has been written at the request of the Author's comrades 
of his old regiment, and he has endeavored to give in a plain way, with- 
out exaggeration, the facts, and some of the incidents, that made up the 
life of the regiment in its service of over three years. The basis of the 
work is the diary kept by the Author during most of his service, on 
which he has built from all the sources of information that could be 
reached. Dates, places, and facts, it is believed, can be relied upon, 
though there may be a few unimportant errors, which will in no wise 
affect the correctness or value of the history. No pains or expense have 
been spared, and no labor avoided, that would secure the facts needed; 
and whatever omissions may be found, are not the result of the want of 
care or labor, on the part of the Author. 

He is indebted to many of the comrades, officers and men, for valu- 
able information supplied, and help given, but the names are- so many, 
that they cannot be given here. Much credit is due them for the com- 
pleteness of the work, and for the valuable assistance given in doing 
justice to the brave men of our regiment. 

It is well to state, perhaps, that these pages are not intended as a 
history in full of any of the battles or campaigns mentioned, or of the 
armies that took part in them, but rather of the part our own regiment 
took in them. Other commands, no doubt, did as good service as our 
own, and they are not given the prominence they would have in a more 
general history, because this is intended solely as a regimental history, 
in which other regiments and commands are incidentally mentioned. 



4 PREFA CE. 

The writing of the history was a labor of love, for which the Author 
has received no compensation, and would under no circumstances ac- 
cept any, being glad of the opportunity to set forth the services of his 
noble, brave comrades, who were as brothers to .him in their long asso- 
ciation together. The work is theirs, the cheerful gift of one who has a 
just appreciation of their patriotic services, and it is hoped that they 
will find in it a faithful portraiture of the work they did for their country. 

The Author. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

LoYAi. Western Virginia, 9 

CHAPTER n. 

Organization of Regiment, 25 

CHAPTER HI. 

Company Histories, 4° 

Company A, 4i 

Company B, 49 

Company C, ^° 

Company D, S 

Company E, 7i 

Company F, 

Company G, 3 

Company H, 9^ 

Company I, 94 

Company K, ^°° 

CHAPTER IV. 

The Quartermaster's Department, 108 



6 TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER V. 
The Chaplain and His Work, 124 

CHAPTER VI. 

In Camp at Bevkri.y, 1861, 132 

CHAPTER VII. 

Relief of Cheat Mountain, 137 

CHAPTER VIII. 

In Camp at Elkwater, 143 

CHAPTER IX. 
Camp on Cheat Mountain Summit, 152 

CHAPTER X. 

Mountain Department, 160 

CHAPTER XI. 
The Army of Virginia, 173 

CHAPTER XII. 
Return to Western Virginia, ,„.,. „.,„ ,„.,..,. 189 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Fourth Separate Brigade, 197 

CHAPTER XIV. 
Rocky Gap Expedition, 203 

CHAPTER XV. 

Droop Mountain, 213 

CHAPTER XVI. 

The Salem Raid, , ., , , 222 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. .7 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Campaigns of 1864, 238 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
Scouting Service, 248 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Prison Life, 270 

CHAPTER XX. 

Escape from Pris'on, ^ 283 




FRANK S. READER, CO. I. 



CHAPTER I. 



LOYAL WESTERN VIRGINIA. 



HF2 determination of the loyal people of Western Virginia not to 
yield to the demands of the Secessionists of the State, created 
a great deal of enthusiasm in the bordering states of Pennsyl- 
ania and Ohio, and did much to attract volunteers from those states, to 
the support of the brave loyalists of this section. The treason of 
Richmond furnished the occasion to the ^\'est to assert its dignity and 
independence. The triumph of secession on the James, led to the triumph 
of loyalty in the mountains; but it was a struggle such as few people have 
ever gone through, and fixed for all time the undaunted courage, the 
sublime devotion to principle, and the patient endurance, of the noble 
people of this western section. While Gov. Letcher was training the 
State militia for use against the government, the people of the western 
counties were holding Union meetings for the support of the govern- 
ment. The militia in the western part of the State were called into 
action, but largely refused, many of the officers and men becoming gal- 
lant officers in the regiments that were soon formed for the defense of 
the Nation. The sketches of many officers, and of companies, in the 
succeeding chapters, will show the work of some of them, and give a 
tolerably fair idea of the intense loyalty of these men. For a number 
of years, there had been a heated contest between the contending prin- 
ciples that were fully developed by the war, and there was no neutral 
ground upon which any persons could stand. This so completely de- 
fined the positions of the two, that when the war actually broke its dark 
and hideous cloud upon the rugged mountains and fair valleys of West- 
ern Virginia, the people were in line where they belonged, and the battle 
was on. The dominant party of the State being naturally for the prin- 
ciple of states rights, the Unionists suffered much at their hands, and it 
was no easy matter after all to be for the Union. Speakers were mobbed, 
meetings were broken up, rough and tumble fights were frequent, and 
neighbors were arrayed against neighbors, yet there was no yielding of 
the loyalty of the people. 

B 



lo LOYAL WESTERN VIRGLNIA. 

During all this stormy period, there were a number of avowed aboli- 
tionists along the border of the state, some also in the interior of the 
stale, but their influence was abridged. They could not get access to 
the masses. The preachers of the M. E. Church North, had a large 
membership in the state, and were closely watched. They were pressed 
b\- the M. K. Church South, and other denominations, on account of 
their anti-slavery tenilency. Hon. F. H. Pierpont, one of the leading 
men of the state, though not a member of that church, wrote one of his 
most effective letters and published il in a local paper, vindicating the 
jjreachers of the M. E. Church, maintaining that they were simply li\'ing 
under the rule promulgated by \Vesley. This letter had wide circula- 
tion, and served the end designed. 

In the fall of i860, the Virginia legislature was called in extra session: 
then came the state convention; then on the lylh of April 1861, the 
ordinance of secession was passed, and on the 25th of the same month 
the state, by secession commissioners, acting under authority of the 
convention in session at Richmond, Avas annexed to the Southern Con- 
federacy at jNlontgomery, Ala. Of this the peo])le knew nothing. They 
Avere called upon to go through the farce of an election on the fourth 
Thursday in May following, to \'ote on the adojjtion or rejection of the 
ordinance of secession, the time for electing members of the senate, 
house of delegates and members of congress. The news of the passage 
of the ordinance spread like wild fire. The union members of the con- 
vention escaped from Richmond, some at the hazard of their lives. 
Hon. John S. Carlisle was among the first to escape. As soon as he 
arrived at Clarksburg, his home, he called a public meeting, and that 
meeting called a convention, to consist of ten men from each county, 
which would send delegates to a convention to be held in Wheeling on 
the iith of May following. In the meantime, public meetings were 
called in every county, the shortest notice calling out large concourses 
and they were addressed by union men and secessionists. 

All the leading offices, civil and military, were held by rebels. Orders 
were issued from Richmond to assemble the militia by comjjanies, bat- 
talions and regiments, and to push forward the militia officers' training. 
Rebel military companies were being raised in e\ery county, their 
rendezvous being Crafton. What were called the " terror men " were 
active. A few of the most determined men in each county called on 
militia officers, and notified them that they must go with the state or 
resign; also on union men, to admonish them that if they did not go 
with the state, they might expect serious consecpiences. Mr. Pierpont 
was among the most active of the speakers, and was approached, to 
learn what he meant by stirring up sedition in the state, and opposing 
the organized commonwealth of Virginia: and assured that if he per- 
sisted, he would be arrested and sent to Richmond, and tried and hung 
for treason against the great state. He had been in four or fi\e princi- 



LOYAL WESTERN VLRGLNLA. ii 

pal counties, and the old men asked him what the union people could 
do. He expected advice from them, and in his own language, "the 
very heavens appeared as brass without a single rift." His neighbors in 
the midst of this terror, asked him what they should do. He simply 
said, "hold on to the union." 

In this depressed state of mind, he went to his office and took down 
the Constitution of the United States. Audiby he said, "Old constitu- 
tion, I will give you one more reading." He does not know why he 
had not done it before, but he commenced at the preamble, carefully 
reading article by article and section by section, until he came to the 
section which provides — "The Government of the United States shall 
guarantee a republican form of government to each state in the Union, 
repel invasion, and suppress insurrection and rebellion when called on 
by the legislature, or by the Governor, if the legislature cannot be con- 
vened in time." When he got through the section, he sprang to his feet, 
threw the book with force on the table and exclaimed, "I have got you." 
The cold chills ran from his head to his feet and his hair stood on end. 
He walked the floor for a few minutes in brisk step, and in less than a 
minute the whole proceedings of the convention, its representation, the 
declaring of all offices held by secessionists vacant, representation in 
Congress and division of the State, passed before him like a panorama. 
He went into his house and told his wife that it was clear. He met one 
of his neighbors on the street and remarked to him, "It will all come 
out right." He knew at that stage that success could only be had by 
secrecy. 

The meeting at Wheeling, on the i ith of May, came off in a few days, 
and was presided over by Dr. John W. Moss, of Parkersburg. It was a 
great mass convention. The wealth and talent of the Union men in the 
State were there, earnest and determined, without reference to numbers 
from counties. Thirty odd counties were represented. They assembled 
in the afternoon in a large hall. A large number of resolutions were 
presented, all breathing a strong Union spirit. Daniel Lamb, Geo. Mc- 
Porter and F. H. Pierpont were appointed a committee to whom all the 
resolutions were referred, with request to report next morning. Pier- 
pont met with the committee and told them that they could report that 
he had three resolutions, which he desired adopted before the conven- 
tion adjourned. They were about as follows: 

I St. That this convention call a delegate convention, to be com- 
])osed of all the Delegates and Senators elected at the ensuing election, 
and a number of delegates from each county, equal to twice the number 
of its representatives in the house of delegates; these delegates to be 
elected under the direction of a committee of safety to be appointed by 
this convention. 

2nd. That this convention so elected, should meet in Wheeling on 
the 13th day of June next following. 



12 LOYAL WESTERN VLRGLNLA. 

3r(l. That this convention appoint members as a committee of 

safety, whose duty it shouhl be to direct the manner of electing mem- 
bers to the convention, who were not members of the Legislature, and 
to attend to such other affairs as they deemed necessary- for the Union 
cause. 

Pierpont put these resolutions in his pocket, and said he would wait 
for a proper oj)i)ortunity to offer them. Speech-making began in earn- 
est at an early hour in the evening. Mr. Carlisle led off, advocating 
the division of the state at once, the new state to be composed of two 
congressional districts, and he had a strong following. He was followed 
by Gen. Jackson, of Parkersburg, Hon. W. T. Willey, Hon. C. D. 
Hubbard, Campbell Tarr, J- S. Burdett, Daniel H. Polsley, and others, 
nearly all of whom had been members of the Richmond convention. 
Various propositions were suggested. About half an hour before dinner 
next day, Pierpont was called for; he took the stand and spoke until 
adjournment for dinner, and promised to finish after dinner. In the 
meantime he saw Wm. (j. Brown, member of congress-elect of King- 
wood. He told Brown that he did not care about s])eaking, but he 
wanted to wear out the convention so as to get in some j^ractical resolu- 
tions; that after dinner he would resume his remarks, but he knew he 
would get hoarse in a short time, and would call upon him to finish, he 
being fully in possession of his, Pierpont's, views. This line was fol- 
lowed. After Brown had been speaking some time, Pierpont left the 
platform and went down one aisle of the hall, and met Carlisle. He 
took the resolutions out of his pocket, and said to Carlisle, "here is 
what you want." Carlisle read them carefully and said "that suits me 
exactly. \\\\y did you not show them to me before?" Pierpont said 
it was not time. Carlisle addressed the President with a motion to 
r^fer all resolutions back to the General Committee with instructions to 
report as soon as possible. The committee retired, Pierpont's resolu- 
tions were presented, and the sub-committee was instructed to report them. 

The convention reassembled just before sun-down. News had gone 
out that all disagreements were settled. A number of ladies and gentle- 
men were on the large platform. The convention was called to order, 
the resolutions were read, and unanimously adopted with great enthu- 
siasm. The chairman then announced the committee of safety. Im- 
mediately a clerical gentleman stepped forward and struck up the star 
spangled banner, in which the band and all on the platform joined, the 
ladies acquitting themselves with great hont^r. Then another and an- 
other patriotic song, then the doxology, "Praise Cod, &c.," and the 
convention adjourned amid ringing cheers. This meeting was of na- 
tional importance. The great daily papers of Boston, New York, 
Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Chicago 
had their reporters there. An intense union feeling was developed and 
it greatly encouraged the sentiment in the North. 



LOYAL WESTERN VLKGLNLA. 13 

The next day the committee of safety organized. The committee ap- 
pointed a sub-committee to remain at Wheeling and take charge of af- 
fairs. Then the next day when the sub-committee met, some one who 
had heard that Pierpont had a plan of action asked him to explain it. 
He admitted that he had; and that it was this: -'On principle the loyal 
people of the state are entitled to the protection of the laws of the state 
and United States. When our convention assembles I have no doubt 
we will know that the Crovernor of the state has joined the Southern Con- 
federacy. The convention will pass resolutions declaring, in the 
language of the declaration of independence, that 'he has abdicated his 
office by joining a foreign state,' and that it is the right of this conven- 
tion to appoint aGovernor and Lieutenant-governor, and pass such other 
ordinances as are necessary to turn out of office all disloyal men and to 
fill them by loyal men, and do anything else that may be necessary. 
Our actions must go to the whole state. We will call the legislature 
together immediately if necessary. You observe the convention is com- 
posed of double the number of delegates of the lower house. 
It may be we will need a legislature and convention both at once. We 
will elect Senators to fill the places made vacant by resignation of 
Hunter and Mason. We will commission our members elected and send 
them to Congress. The Governor will call upon the President for mili- 
tary aid to suppress the rebellion. In the meantime, w'e will get the 
United States Army to occupy the Monongahela and Kanawha valleys, 
drive the rebels beyond the mountains, and we will organize below. 
Now if we carry out this program, we will represent the State of Vir- 
ginia, and divide the State by the consent of C'ongress and the consent 
of the Legislature of Virginia." The committee unanimously assented, 
and worked diligently, attending to all the details necessary to strengthen 
the union cause. 

On Saturday before the fourth Thursday in May, election day, Pier- 
pont's friends at Fairmont thought it safe for him to come home and 
stay until the election. There was great commotion, on the day before 
the election, and a regiment from Georgia and the Valley of Virginia 
arrived at Phillippi and Grafton. A large rebel meeting was held in 
I'airmont the same evening. Threats were freely made. About 2 o'clock 
at night, a lady living near called to Pierpont and told him that she had 
been watching all night, that she heard of threats, and feared that he 
would be killed or his house burned that night. He told her not to be 
alarmed, they would not hurt him, but he watched from that to daylight, 
got an early breakfast, and went to his office. A friend came in excit- 
edly^and declared there w^as present danger, and insisted on his leaving 
at once on the train for Wheeling. He went and got to the office of the 
committee at W'heeling at half past 3 p. m. The committee was there. 
They gibed him about not being at home voting. He replied, "The 
time of voting is past. I move that Mr. Carlisle be sent, at once, to 



14 LOYAL WESTERN VLRGLNLA. 

Washington, to denianci troops to drive the Rebels out of Western Vir- 
ginia." Carlisle readily consented to go on the next train, at 8 o'clock 
that night. He had to go by Harrisburg and Baltimore. He got to 
Washington at 3 p. m. next day. He told the hackman to drive him to 
the White House as quick as his horses could go, got there and inquired 
for the President; was informed he could not see the President, as all 
the Cabinet were there in cabinet meeting. (Carlisle said he wanted to 
see all the Cabinet and President together, and demanded that his card 
be taken in. The President called him in. "AV'ell," said the President, 
"Mr. Carlisle, what is the best news in Western Virginia." Carlisle, 
without answering that question, said, "Sir, we want to fight. We have 
one regiment ready, and if the f'ederal Government is going to assist us 
we want it at once." "You shall have assistance," said the President. 
This was on Friday afternoon. On Sunday morning, United States 
troops, from Ohio and Indiana, crossed the river at Wheeling and Park- 
ersburg, and on the third of June the first fight in the State came off at 
Phillippi. 

Before the assembling of the convention, a number of union gentle- 
rtien in Wheeling, held a kind of informal caucus, and discussed the 
men who would likely be prominent for governor. They finally agreed 
on Pierpont and appointed a gentleman to see him and ascertain if he 
would accept; if so they would work to that end. Pierpont was seen, 
the matter submitted, he declared "that he had never thought of oc- 
cupying the place. He had been looking to okler men." After hear- 
ing all his friend hatl to say, he replied: "I am in for the war to lead 
or drive, and if the convention so orders I will do the best I can." 
Two days before the meeting of the convention, the members began to 
arrive in Wheeling. The first question to leading union men was, 
"What are we going to do?" They were told to see Pierpont, he had 
worked up a plan of action. So they went to him singly and by num- 
bers. He explained the proposed action in detail. All inquired, 
"Have you consulted the President or any of his cabinet?" He an- 
swered "No. ^^'e don't want to consult them. This action by our 
enemies will be called revolutionarj-. The government of the United 
States is watched in this country and Europe, and we don't want to com- 
promise it in any way. But we will submit our work and I will guaran- 
tee its acceptance." 

The convention assembled on the 13th of June 1861. It was agreed 
that all the members before taking their seats, should take an oath to 
support the constitution of the United States, as the supreme law of the 
land, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the ordinance of seces- 
sion passed at Richmond on the 17th of April 1861. About thirty-five 
counties were represented, and every delegate elected but one, took his 
seat. Hon. A. I. Boreman was elected President of the convention. 
Appropriate committees were appointed on fundamental principles and 




HON. FRANCIS H. PIERPONT. 



LOYAL WESTER X VIRGIN LA. 15 

plan for reorganizing the state. The committees went to work in earnest, 
and in a few days they rejiorted in substance that the loyal people of the 
state were entitled to the benefit of state and national government; that 
the offices of Governor and Lieutenant-governor were vacant by reason 
of the officers who were elected to their places having joined a foreign 
government; and that it was the duty of the convention to elect a Gov- 
ernor and Lieutenant-governor for six months until the offices could be 
filled by an election of the people. They made it the duty of the Gov- 
ernor to recpiire all the officers in the state to take the oath to support 
the constitution of the L'nited States, as the supreme law of the land; 
and the restored government of Virginia as vindicated by the convention 
assembled at Wheeling on the 13th of June 1861, notwithstanding any- 
thing to the contrary in the ordinance passed at Richmond on the 17th 
of April 1861. It was made the duty of the Governor on the refusal of 
any office-holder of a state or county office to take this oath, to declare 
the office vacant, and order an election to fill the vacancy with a loyal 
man. IJy the 21st, all the preliminaries were completed, speeches of 
explanation made and election of Governor ordered for that day. Pier- 
pont was asked privately to leave the hall. 

Daniel Lamb, Esq., nominated him, in a short speech, for Governor 
of the Restored Government of Virginia. Xo other nomination was 
made, and the vote was unanimous. Pierpont was sent for, and in- 
formed of the action of the convention by the President, who asked him 
if he was ready to take the oath of office. He said he was. The oath 
was then administered on the President's platform, in the presence of 
the convention. Pierpont turned to the convention and said he thanked 
them for this expression of their confidence, and would serve them to the 
best of his ability. 

Francis Harrison Pierpont was born in Monongalia county, Va., about 
five miles east of Morgantown, January 25. 1814. The same year his 
father. Francis Pierpont, and mother, Catharine, removed into Harri- 
son C\)unty. three miles southwest of what is now Fairmont. They 
settled in a log cabin in an unbroken forest. In 1827 his father removed 
to what is now Fairmont, West Va. What work Francis did until thir- 
teen years old. was on the farm. After he A\as of school age, he went 
about two and one-half miles to a log school house, four terms of three 
months each, in the winter time. From thirteen years old to twenty-one 
and one-half he worked in his father's tan yard, then he started on foot 
to seek an education at Allegheny Gollege, at Meadville. Pa., about one 
hundred and eighty miles distant. He remained at Allegheny College 
four and one-half college years, and was graduated in the class of 1839 
visited home three times, in vacation, travelling as he first started most 
of the distance. After he left college he taught school for three years 
in Virginia and Mississippi. In political opinion he was a Whig. His 
father taught him that slavery was a moral, social and political evil. 



1 6 LOYAL WESTERN VLRGLNLA. 

During his college life this sentiment was increased. While residing in 
Mississippi, his personal observations of the institution intensified this 
sentiment. After leaving college and while teaching, he studied law. 
In consequence of the failing health of his father, he returned home in 
1842, and was admitted to the bar in that year. He was an amateur 
politician, though never a candidate for office, and frequently addressed 
the people on political subjects. He was placed by his party on the 
State electoral ticket for President, in 1848. His district contained ten 
counties, six mountain counties of which were overwhelmingly Demo- 
cratic. It was proposed and agreed upon that the two electors should 
hold joint discusions of the points of difference between the parties, 
in all the counties in the district, at the county seats, and at such other 
points as they could attend. The meetings were largely attended and 
the canvas lasted over three months. Much of the capital of Demo- 
cratic politicians then was to abuse abolitionists. Abolitionism was the 
sum of all villainies in politics. Socialism, free love, negro equality, 
slave insurrection and general spoliation of women and property, were 
attributed to designing abolitionists. But Pierpont did not suffer him- 
self to be put on the defensive, but assumed the aggessive at the start. 
Whatever accusations were brought against the abolitionists, he knew 
that the people of W^estern Virginia knew the slavocracy of the State 
only by its oppression of the white laboring people; that the Democratic 
party had always held the political power in the State, and that the part 
east of the Blue Ridge, though largely in the minority in population, 
held controlling power in the legislature. The west had had but (me 
United States Senator and never a judge of the Court of Appeals or a 
Governor. By the laws of the State, they to a great extent exonerated 
their slaves from taxation, and taxed all the laboring man had, from a 
pig to an engine. By law, a poor man with three sons over sixteen 
years, with himself, might be called to work the roads ten or twenty days 
in the year, while the gentleman owning two male slaves over sixteen 
years, was exempt from road working, and his land was seldom taxed 
for road purposes. The children were without free schools, and almost 
without schools of any kind. He pointed them to Pennsylvania and 
Ohio, with their free institutions; on the one side of an imaginary line 
you could see thrift, intelligence of the children and prosperity of the 
people; not so where slavocracy reigned. He declared that Western 
Virginia wanted free schools, a sound currency ami a tariff for protec- 
tion. He continued this line of attack on the oppression of slave 
holders, through the local press and before the people, in 1852, 1856, 
and in the Governor's election in 1859. ^\'hen the Democratic party 
divided in i860, and nominated Breckenridge and Douglas for President, 
Pierpont at once announced that the Breckenridge party meant secession, 
rebellion, division of the Union and war. He maintained this country 
could not be divided without war. Breckenridge Democrats vehemently 



LOYAL WESTERN VLRGTNLA. 17 

denied this charge. Pieri)ont pressed it the harder, so that when the 
rebellion came, a large number of Democrats were on the union side. 
He was not an Abolitionist in their sense of the term, but he hated the 
institution of slavery, the intolerant spirit of pro-slavery men, and their 
oppression. At the age of seventeen Gov. Pierpont joined the M. P. 
Church, was an active superintendent of the Sunday school for eighteen 
years before the war, has had a class ever since, and says that the most 
valuable knowledge is that received in this grand work. The Governor 
is now an honored resident of Fairmont, West \'a. , and though beyond 
three score years and ten, is active in good works. The Second Vir- 
ginia regiment has many reasons to be grateful to him, and he is held in 
the highest esteem by every member of the old organization. 

After his election, Governor Pierpont at once entered upon the duties 
of his office. The collector of the port offered him an office, with a 
bare table, half quire of paper and pen and ink, in the custom house. 
Some friends came in to congratulate him, and some of them remarked 
that he was the first man they had ever known to thank men for putting 
a rope around his neck. The Governor replietl that success was never 
convicted of treason. He immediately addressed a letter to the Presi- 
dent of the United States, in substance informing him that there was an 
insurrection and rebellion in the state; that certain evil minded men in 
the state had banded themselves together and had joined with like 
minded men from other states; that they had formed strong military 
organizations and were pressing union men into their army, and taking 
their substance to support their organizations; that their object was to 
overthrow the government of the state and United States, and that he 
had not sufficient military force at his command to suppress the rebel- 
lion. He called upon the President for military aid, and signed his let- 
ter, "F. H. Pierpont, Governor of Virginia." 

About the fourth day after, the Governor received a letter from Se-cre 
tary of War (Cameron) acknowledging receipt of his letter, saying that 
he was directed by the President to congratulate the people of Virginia 
on their so soon resuming their relations with the United States Govern- 
ment, and authorizing Gov. Pierpont to raise volunteer regiments for the 
United States Army and to appoint company and field officers. This 
letter was read to the convention and greatly strengthened their faith in 
the movement. 

The second week of the convention was nearing its close. Serious 
trouble was ahead. Landlords were informing members that they would 
expect their pay at the end of the second week. Money was exceed- 
ingly scarce. The Governor was informed of the situation. "Yes," 
said he, "I have been actively thinking about that. Tell them to hold 
on until next week." This was on Saturday. On Monday morning 
Gov. Pierpont said to Mr. P. G. Vanwinkle, "We must have money. I 
want you, after breakfast^ to go with me to the N. W. and M. M. banks, 



1 8 LOYAL WESTERN VIRGTXLA. 

and endorse my notes for $5,000, one on each bank. I intend to have 
Si 0,000 from these banks." Vanwinkle said lie would do it. The}- i;ot 
the cashiers together. The (rovernor told them what he wanted. They 
raised the objection that they could not make the loan to the State with- 
out a vote of the stockholders. The (iovernor rei)lied, 'T want it on 
m\- own individual note and Mr. Vanwinkle will endorse it. I want it 
to ])ay tlie mileage and per diem of the members of the convention. If 
my government succeeds you arc sure of your money. If it does not 
succeed, your money is not worth a bubble." One of the cashiers re- 
plied, "You shall have five thousand from this bank, what shall we do 
with it?" The Governor replied, '-Place it to my credit officially and I will 
so draw my checks." The other cashier said he would like to do the 
same, but nearly all his directors were of the secession party, and they 
would not meet until Thursday. Governor I'ierpont said, "Please give 
them my compliments, and tell them to place that money to my credit, 
and I don't want any higgling about it." On Wednesday the cashier in- 
formed him that $5,000 was placed to his credit in the other bank. The 
Governor went immediately to the convention, asked the President to 
inform all the members that if they would get a certificate from the Ser- 
geant at Arms of the mileage and per diem due them, and bring it to the 
Governor, he would give them a check for the money. This gave great 
strength to the convention. Thus the Governor became Auditor and 
Treasurer also. 

The convention soon brought its work for the present, to a close, and 
convened the legislature, which elected United States Senators to fill the 
vacancies made by the resignation of Mason and Hunter. The Governor 
procured proper seals, and issued commissions to Senators and Repre- 
sentatives in Congress, who were admitted to seats in the extra session 
called by the President to meet on the 4th of July 1861. 

The restored government being recognized by the legislative and ex- 
ecutive branches of the Federal Government, they were ready to divide 
the state, .\ccomac, Northampton, Fairfax and Alexandria were now 
represented in the legislature. The legislature gave its consent and 
called on the people in the bounds of the proposed new state, to elect 
delegates to a convention to frame a constitution. That convention 
met and submitted its work for adoi)tion or rejection in the spring of 
1862. The i)eople adopted the constitution so submitted with great 
unanimity. It was then submitted to Congress. The senate passed a 
bill admitting the new state of West Virginia. The lower house took 
objections to the constitution on the ground of the i)rovisions on slavery. 
and required alterations in that particular. The state convention was 
reassembled and alterations were made to conform to the views of Con- 
gress. In December 1862, at the reassembling of Congress, all altera- 
tions had been made, the lower house passed the act, and it was ajj- 
proved by the President; and the new state was to be admitted on the 



LOYAL WESTERN VLRGINLA. 19 

proclamation of the President to be thereafter issued on proper certi- 
ficates of ratification by the people of the alterations Congress pro- 
posed. Elections were held in the spring of 1863, in the old and new 
state, at the usual time of holding elections, and the constitution was 
adopted, and the government of West Virginia was organized June 17, 
1863. 

Governor Pierpont went into the loyal part of the old state, not em- 
braced in West Virginia. The people were anxious for him to follow the 
restored government, which he decided to do. "I feared" said he, -'if 
it failed the young state might fail." The people elected him to take 
the office of Governor of Virginia, for the full term from the ist of 
Jan. 1864. Then he removed the seat of government of Virginia from 
Wheeling to Alexandria, and in 1865, after the rebellion collapsed, he 
went to Richmond and completely restored the government of the state. 
He was governor for seven years, and was superceded by the "Force 
Acts" of Congress passed in 1867. 

Gov. Pierpont says the formation of West Va. was not the act of any 
one man, nor was it the act of the politicians of the State, as they were 
in the rebellion. It was simply the carrying out of an enthusiastic de- 
termination of a large body of serious, determined men, who felt that 
they had been oppressed by the slave power of the State, which power 
was then forcing them to antagonize the Union they so dearly loved, to 
enlarge the slave power they so cordially hated. This intense ])ower was 
behind him, and he also had the counsel of true, intelligent men. The 
Wheeling Intelligencer, the only daily paper in the State, edited with 
great ability and discretion by A. W. Campbell, Esq., was a tower of 
strength in support of the movement. 

The movement forming the restored government and the new state, was 
of vast importance in determining the fate of the Union. It checked 
rebellion in Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri; it strengthened union 
sentiment in the north; it added backbone to the administration at Wash- 
ington, and it dampened the ardor of the rebels at Richmond. The 
Western Virginia politicians promised the Confederacy 50,000 Western 
Virginia troops. Rebels in the cotton states in the spring of 1861, said 
to the people, "Plant your broad acres of corn and cotton. The war is 
transferred to the Potomac and the Ohio." The intention was to make 
these rivers the picket line, but the first movement in Western Virginia 
removed the picket line from the Ohio far back into the Allegheny 
mountains. Gov. Pierpont mustered into the United States service 
about 19,500 men, as brave as ever shouldered a musket or drew a saber. 
Some of them were brave Pennsylvanians and Ohioans, who wanted to 
help Western Virginia. The rebels were paralyzed in that section, and 
it is believed that less than 5,000 of them were in the confederate regu- 
lar service. 

The threatening advance of the confederate forces in the latter part 



2 LOYAL WESTERN VfL^GfNLA. 

of May, i<S6i, necessitated the advance of union tro()])s to repel them 
and on the 27th of May, t\)l. H. Y. Kelley with his noble First Vir- 
ginia Infantry, left Wheeling, followed by other troops, and by May 31st 
7,000 or 8,000 men were collected at (irafton under Gen. Morris. 'I'hc 
enemy retreated to Phillippi, where they made a stand under command 
of Colonel Porterfield. An advance was made, on June 2nd, by the 
forces under Gen. Morris, to capture Phillippi by surprise. They moved 
in two separate columns; one, under Col. Dumont, proceeded on the \. 
W. Va. railroad to Webster, twelve miles from Phillippi, ami thence 
marched against the enemy's front, while C^olonel Kelley. accompanied 
by Col. Lander, moved another column eastward to Thornton, from 
which point they marched twenty-two miles, and got in the rear of 
Porterfield's forces. The troops advanced through the peltings of a 
fierce storm. The darkness was so intense, and the mud so deep, 
that travel was exceedingly difficult, and it was daylight before they 
reached Phillippi. The plan of the attack was for Col. Dumont to at- 
tack in front, and C^ol. Kelley in the rear, simultaneously. The attack 
was to be made at 4 o'clock, but Col. Kelley, having the longer distance 
to travel, could not possibly reach the point desired at the time, so that 
Col. Dumont waited till daylight revealed his presence to the enemy. 
Seeing the enemy's camp in confusion, the colonel then ordered an at- 
tack, and about the same time Col. Kelley came in sight across the 
river below the camp and charged forward with great cheering, (^ol. 
Kelley's forces charged into the town but fountl it deserted. Passing 
along Col. Kelley was shot through the body by some concealed person, 
but recovered and became one of the honored and brave generals of the 
State. 

A large force of the enemy was firmly entrenched on Laurel Hill 
under Gen. Robert S. Garnett, and a smaller force under Col. John Pegram 
at Rich Mountain. On July nth General McClellan ordered an attack 
on the forces on Rich Mountain. General Rosecranz was sent with 
some Indiana and Ohio regiments to get in the rear of the confederate 
forces. This was accomplished, but the plan of attack was disclosed to 
the enemy, by the capture of a courier from McClellan to Rosecranz. 
This put the enemy on their guard and they hastily marched 2,500 men 
with three pieces of artillery to the summit of the mountain, where they 
intrenched themselves. Rosecranz had no artillery, as he had to march 
his weary columns through almost impenetrable woods, by mountain 
bridle paths, under a cold, intermittent rain. About noon he reached 
the confederate position, when the enemy opened on him with their 
artillery. The bushes were so thick that the location of the enemy 
could not be made out, and their whereabouts was known only by the 
explosions of their guns. Colonel Lander with twenty sharp shooters 
found position among the rocks close to the enemy's artillery, where 
they picked off their gunners as fast as they took their places. In the 



LOYAL WESTERN VIRGLNLA. 21 

meantime an Indiana regiment came up, and the order to fix bayonets 
was given. The next moment an Ohio regiment posted on a high piece 
of ground, poured in a terrible volley, and the Indianians charged with 
a cheer that carried terror to the hearts of the enemy, who at once re- 
treated, leaving their artillery, wagons, tents, provisions and stores, with 
135 dead. The enemy were driven about 300 yards, when a recall was 
sounded and the column formed in line of battle, to meet the forces of 
Pegram at the foot of the mountain. But Pegram fully understanding 
the ])()siti()n of Rosecranz's forces, became alarmed for his own safety, 
and ordered an immediate retreat, but was compelled to surrender the 
next day. General McClellan then marched to Peverly. 

General (iarnett on Laurel Hill, hearing of Pegram's defeat, retreated 
through the mountains. General Morris took possession of the camp, 
and next day five regiments of Ohio and Indiana troops started in full 
pursuit, forcing the enemy directly over the mountains toward the Cheat 
river. The rain fell without intermission, making the marching misera- 
ble in the narrow valley of the Cheat river. No guide was needed to 
point out their track, the trampled mud, haversacks, blankets, tents, etc., 
that strewed the valley, showing plainly enough the route taken. It was 
a wild chase and when open ground was reached, skirmishes were fre- 
cpient. Four companies of a Georgia regiment were cut off and cap- 
tured, and at Carrick's ford Gen. Garnett made a stand, his artillery be- 
ing posted on a bluff, while the infantry were concealed behind the 
bushes. A desperate fight followed, the enemy's forces far exceeding 
the union troops, but they were compelled to retreat in great disorder. 
Gen. Garnett bravely exerted himself to stop the demoralized command, 
but his efforts were fruitless, and while so doing, he was shot through 
the body and died without a groan. The pursuit was continued only 
two miles beyond the ford, when the union troops camped for the night. 
The remainder of the enemy under Col. Ramsey, made their way across 
the mountains, joining (ien. Jackson at Monterey. Our loss in these 
fights was not more than sixty, while the killed of the enemy was nearly 
two hundred, and about one thousand captured. 

Both armies now settled down to the organization needed for the con- 
flicts"that were certain to follow. Enlistments came in rapidly from 
this time forward, and side by side with the other loyal sections of the 
Union, Western Virginia did her full share for the maintenance of the Na- 
tional Government. As showing the readiness of the people to support 
the flag, it is proper to state here, that there were placed in the field of 
Western Virginia soldiers as brave a body of men as anywhere fought 
for the union cause. As showing the patriotic spirit existing, it is well 
to note that out of a population of 393,234 in Western Virginia, in 
i860, afterward the state of West Virginia, including the slaves, there 
were furnished 32,068 soldiers, or 8. 1 per cent, of the population; and 



LOYAL WESTERN VLRGLNLA. 



the character of the troops may be shown, by the following statement of 
the losses of the several ori^anizations: 



Regiments. 



I St Cav 

2d Cav 

3d Cav 

4th Cav 

5th Cav 

6th Cav 

7th Cav 

Loudoun Rangers. 
Light Artillery. . . 

ist Inf 

4th Inf 

5th Inf 

6th Inf 

7th Inf 

gth Inf 

loth Inf 

nth Inf 

i2th Inf 

13th Inf 

14th Inf 

15th Inf 

i6th Inf 

17th Inf 

1st Veteran 

2d Veteran 



Total. 



Killed. 


Died. 


Total. 


81 


126 


207 


81 


115 


1 96 


46 


136 


182 




30 


30 


71 


118 


189 


61 


174 


235 


33 


203 


236 




14 


14 


1 33 


131 


164 


1 54 


138 


192 


83 


158 


241 


61 


90 


151 


8 


i6g 


177 


142 


158 


300 


1 99 


108 


207 


95 


146 


241 


67 


148 


215 


t 59 


131 


190 


1 61 


108 


169 


! 88 


157 


245 


53 


99 


152 




7 


7 


1 I 


-4 


25 


9 


31 


40 


I 


16 


17 


1287 


2735 


4022 



This showing hardly does justice to the A\'est N'irginians, since the 
regiments were, as a rule, under the average size, and owing to the dif- 
ficulties of recruiting, they had. from first to last, fewer men on their 
rolls, so that the apportionment of mortality to the total number was 
greater than would appear from a similar showing in regiments from 
more Northern States. As an instance, take our own regiment. 
Tlie muster out rolls show a total enrollment of 1,069 men from first 
to last, of whom about sixty-five were discharged before the arduous 
campaigns of 1S62 began, and Company Cr was detached for artillery 
service, making the real strength of the regiment before leaving cheat 
mountain, about 900 men. The losses given were really from this num- 
ber of men. As a rule, when a ^Vest Virginia regiment was once formed 
and mustered into the service, it hail to depend on its original members 
for its future strength. But few recruits were received, and as comrades 
fell in battle or by disease, their places were forever left unfilled, sad 
reminders of the horrible realities of war. In our own regiment, but 19 
recruits were received in the whole of the three years service. 

In justice to some Western Virginia regiments that were brigaded with 
our regiment during the service, we here recall them, in order that the 
readers of this book, may have a better idea of what the organizations 
were, as they read their noble records in the battles herewith given. 
The State and countrv had no abler defenders, and a truer, nobler set 



LOYAL WESTERN VLRGLNIA, 23 

of men could not be found anywhere in the land. They were a tower 
of strength in the shock of battle, and brothers and comrades in the 
camp and on the march. Our sufferings together made us brothers in 
fact, and the memory of all of them is one of the most precious recol- 
lections of the war. 

The Third Regiment Virginia Infantry was organized at Clarksburg, 
Va., in July 1861, by Col. David T. Hewes, and at once began opera- 
tions in ^Vestern \'irginia, ha\ing companies stationed in different places 
in the State, engaged in scouting antl fighting bushwhackers, until it 
joined the brigade uniler Cren. Robt. H. Milroy in the spring of 1S62, 
and i)roceeded to McDowell, where the Mountain Deijartment was 
formed under Gen. Fremont. From this time on, until after the battle 
of Cloyd Mountain, in May 1864, this regiment and ours were in the 
same brigade, ^\'hen the regiments were mounted in June 1863, and 
the Second became the Fifth Western Virginia Cavalry, the Third be- 
came the Sixth Western Virginia Cavalry, the two regiments bearing the 
same relative rank as when infantry. The two regiments were thus con- 
stantly together for over two years, and when their time of enlistment 
expired, the veterans and recruits of the two regiments were consoli- 
dated, taking the name of the Sixth ^Vest Virginia Cavalr}'. 

The Fifth Regiment Virginia Infantry was organized at Ceredo, Va., 
during the summer of 1S61, and was mustered into the United States 
service October iS, 1861. It was engaged in protecting the loyal citi- 
zens of the Kanawha Valley, and ridding it of the confederates, until 
ordered to Parkersburg on Dec. 10. A principal part of the regiment 
was sent to New Creek and in February 1862, accompanied Colonel 
Dunning of the Fifth Ohio, commanding brigade, on his expedition to 
Moorefield. against Col. Harness of the confederate army. On the 2d 
of April the regiment left New Creek, and went to McDowell, joining 
the command of (ien. Milroy, and taking part in the battle at that place, 
and after that battle became a part of General Milroy's brigade. They 
remained with the brigade all through Pope's campaign, participating in 
all the battles in which the brigade took a part, from Cedar Mountain 
to the second battle of Bull Run. The regiment returned to the Kan- 
awha Valley in October 1862, and was detached from Milroy's brigade, 
and in May 1864, it became a part of Gen. Crook's command, parti- 
cipating in his expeditions. It took a part in Gen. Hunter's advance on 
Lynchburg, and the battle at that place June 18. Returning, it pro- 
ceeded with Gen. Hunter's army to the Shenandoah Valley, forming a 
part of the Army of ^\'est Va. under General Crook in the brigade 
commanded by Col. I. H. Duvall 9th W. Va. Infantry. On 
the 9th of November 1S64, the Fifth and Ninth Western Virginia 
Infantry were consolidated by order of the War Department, and des- 
ignated the First Regiment, West. Virginia Veteran Infantry, and were 
mustered out of Ser\ice, July 21, 1865. 



24 LOYAL WESTERN VLRGLNLA. 

The ?2ighth Regiment \'irginia Infantry was organized in the Kanawha 
Valley, during the fall of 1861. headquarters being at Charleston. The 
regiment was ordered to New Creek in April 1862, becoming a part of 
(ien. Fremont's Mountain Department, and with the Sixtieth Ohio In- 
fantry, was organized as an advance brigade^ and placed under the com- 
mand of Col. Cluseret A. D. C. to (ien. Fremont. In the pursuit of 
Jackson up the \'alley, this brigade had the advance, and were engaged 
in several skirmishes with Ashby's cavalry, followed him closely to Har- 
risonburg, where they engaged him, resulting in the death of Ashby. 
This brigade occupied the centre at the battle of Cross Keys and was 
complimented by Gen. Fremont for its gallantry. The regiment be- 
came a part of (ien. Rohlen's brigade, Sigel's corps, in Pope's cam- 
paign, and served with great gallantry in all the engagements of that 
campaign. On arriving at Washington City, the regiment was trans- 
ferred to Cien. Milroy's brigade, and returned with him to Western Vir- 
ginia, and was again assigned to duty in the Kanawha \'alley. In No- 
vember 1862, it was transferred to Col. Moore's brigade at Buckhannon. 
On the assignment of (ien. Averill to the Fourth separate brigade, this 
regiment was mounted, and became a part of his brigade, as the Seventli 
West Virginia Cavalry, with which it served as long as the organiza- 
tion existed. It was mustered out of the ser\ice August i, 1865. 



CHAPTER II. 



ORGANIZATION OF REGIMENT, 



HlC three months men who had so gallantly and successfully car- 
ried the flag over Laurel Hill and Rich Mountain, were now sent 
to the rear to be mustered out, their term of service having 
expired, and the field was being occupied by three years troops. Ohio 
and Indiana were sending their brave men to the front, some of whom 
were encamped at Beverly, and Col. Balsley, Sixth Ohio Infantry, had 
command of the post at that place. Loyal Western Virginia was busy 
raising troops for its own defence and the support of the national 
authority, and men from all over the section were inquiring for the best 
place to give their services. The Second Regiment Virginia Volunteer 
Infantry, now being enlisted in wirious sections, was ordered to rendez- 
vous at Beverly for organization, th.e first regiment in the state enlisted 
for the three years service. Company after company reported at Camp 
Carlisle, and were mustered into the United States service. This camp 
was located in the Fair grounds on Wheeling Island, at Wheeling, and 
was named after Hon. John S. Carlisle, one of the most prominent 
loyalists of the state, distinguished for his services to his countrv, and 
one of the ablest Representatives of the state in Congress. 

Companies A, D, F and G came from Pittsburg, Pa. ; Company I from 
(ireenfield and California, Washington county, Pa.; Company H from 
fronton, O. ; Company B from Grafton. Va. ; Company C from Wheel- 
ing, Va. ; Company K from Monroe and Belmont counties, O., and 
Wetzel, Taylor and Ritchie counties, Va. ; and Company K from Park- 
ersburg, Va., and Bridgeport, O. The companies met together at 
Beverly, Va., in the latter part of July, and were organized as the Sec- 
ond Regiment Virginia Infantry. Dr. John W. Moss, of Parkersburg, 
Va., was commissioned Colonel, Robert Moran Lieutenant Colonel, J. 
D. Owens Major, Rev. J. W. W. Bolton Chaplain, Dr. R. \V. Hazlett 
Surgeon, Dr. Sample Ford Assistant Surgeon, Lieut. H. G. Jackson Ad- 
jutant, and Lieut. Webster A. Ste\ens Regimental Quartermaster. The 



26 



ORGANIZATION OF REGIMENT. 



following are tlie field officers, and non-commissioned staff, with the 
date of enterintr serxice, and the record of each: 



NAME AND RANK. 



DATE 
OF 

commiss'n. 



John \V. Moss, Colonel 

George R. Latham, Colonel 

Robt. iNIoran, Lieutenant Colonel 

Alex. Scott, Lieutenant Colonel 

James D. Owen, ]\Lajor 

Thomas Gibson, Major 

H. C. Flesher, Major 

F. P. McNally, Major 

D. D. Barcla}-, Major 

H. G. Jackson, Adjutant 

Chas. McC. Hays, Adjutant 

D. F. Williamson, Adjutant 

John Combs, Adjutant 

Jno. C. French, Adjutant 

Webster A. Stevens, First Lt. and R. Q. M. 
A. J. Pentecost, First Lt. and R. O. M. . . . 

R. W. Hazlett, Surgeon 

Eli N. Love, Surgeon 

Sample Ford, Assistant Surgeon 

Eli N. Love, Assistant Surgeon 

Theo. Millspaugh, Assistant Surgeon 

J. W. W. Bolton, Chaplain 

John J. Ebert, Sergt. Major 

Geo. W. Miller, Sergt. Major 

Wm. A. Silver, Sergt. Major 

E. F. Seaman, Q. M. Sergt 

Geo. Kirkpatrick, Com. Sergt 

Jno. R. Thomas, Prin. Mus 

Danl. McK. Martin, Hosp. Steward 



July 

May 

July 

May 

July 

Julv 

Nov. 

Mar. 

May 

Aug. 

Nov. 

Feb. 

June 

Apr. 

July 

July 

July 

Mar. 

Aug. 

Dec. 

Sep. 

Aug. 

June 

May 

June 

Sep. 

July 

June 

Mar. 



3. '6i 

25, '62 

3, '61 
20, '62 

3. '61 

7, '62 
9, '62 

24. '63 

11, '64 

23, '61 

26, '61 
7, '62 

12, '62 

27, '64 
27, '61 
7. '62 

25, 61 

13, '63! 
6, '61 
29, '62 
20, '62 
20, '61 
I, '61 
25, '61 

24, '61 
I, '63 
29, '61 

13, '61 
22, '62 



Resigned May 20, '62. 

j .Mustered out with Regiment. 

( Wounded at Seroud Hull Run. 
Resigned May 20, '62. 
Mustered out. 
Resigned July 7, '62. 
Transferred to 14 Pa. Cn.\. 
Resigned February 23, '63. 
Kill'd Rocky Gap, Aug 26 '63 
Mustered out. 
Resigned October S, '61. 
Resigned January 11, 'C2. 
Resigned March 25, '63. 
Promot'd to Cap. Apr 27, '64 
Declin'd prom'n. Not must. 
Resigned July, 62. 
Mustered out. 
Resigned March 2, '63. 
Mustered out. 

Resigned September iS, '62. 
Promot'd Surg., Mar 23, '63. 
Mustered out. 
J Mustered out. Wounded at 

\ Cloyd Mountain, May '64. 
Disch. fordisabil. Jan 13, '63 
Promoted to ist, Lt. Co. H. 
Mustered out. 
Mustered out with Co. 
Mustered out with Co. 

f Mustered out with company. 
( Wounded in ankle at Rocky (iap. 
Mustered out. 



An earnest effort has been made to secure a good sketch of the life 
and services of each of the field officers and non-commissioned staff, 
which has been accomplished exce])t in a few cases. In a few instances, 
it was not possible to get the desired information, and no sketch is made, 
but the name is simply placed in the roll of honorable record and ser- 
vice, of itself glory enough for any one. The individual sketches will 
be found very interesting and valuable, and as much as any other part 
of the work, show the struggles and heroic deeds, that led to the forma- 
tion of the grand army that saved the nation. The writer very much 
regrets that he could not have a complete notice of every one, but he 
found it impossible. The sketches of the chaplain, quartermaster, and 
others connected with the quartermaster department, will be found in 
the special articles in later chapters of this work. 

COLONEL JOHN W. MO.SS. 

Dr. John W. Moss was born in T'^airfax county, Va., October 4, 1S16. 
He received a collegiate education in a \'irginia school, and was graduated 
in medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, and located at Parkers- 
burg, Va., in 1S40, to practice his profession. Politically he was de- 
voted to the principles of the Whig party, and was regarded as one of 




COLONEL JOHN W. MOSS. 




GEOl^^L K. LATHAM, 

COLONEL AND BREVET BRIGADIER GENERAL. 



ORGANIZATION OF REGIMENT. 27 

its leaders in that section of the state. He was opposed to the theory 
of state's rights, and strong in the belief that a citizen's just allegiance 
was due to the general government. After the passage of the ordinance 
of secession by the Virginia convention at Richmond, he aided in 
inaugurating the movement to save his part of the state to the Union, 
and was president of the convention held for that purpose in the city of 
Wheeling, May 13, 186 1. He was also a member of the convention of 
June II, 1861 at Wheeling, called to form the "Reorganized Govern- 
ment of Virginia," which was recognized by the Federal authorities. 
He was elected to the House of Delegates of the general assembly, 
which met in Wheeling July i, 1861, and while serving in that body, he 
was commissioned colonel of the Second Virginia Infantry. Colonel 
Moss commanded his regiment with ability, and had the respect of his 
command, resigning his commission May 20, 1862. On August 22, 
1862, he was commissioned surgeon of the Fourteenth West Virginia 
Infantry, and served as such until his death at Petersburg, A\'. Va., 
January 2, 1864. 

COLONEL GEORGK R. LATHAISL 

(leorge Robert Latham was born in Prince William county, Virginia, 
in sight of the Puill Run battle ground, March 9. 1832. His father's 
name was John; mother's, Juliet A. — maiden name, Newman. He is 
the third of ten children, eight of whom grew to man or womanhood. 
Of fi\'e brothers living at the breaking out of the rebellion, four entered 
the army. James W., then living in Iowa, entered Col. Fitz Henry 
Warren's First Iowa Cavalry, and was with Wilson's cavalry which cap- 
tured Jeff. Davis. John T. was a lieutenant in Bat. E., First W. Va. 
Lt. Art., and Benj. F. was lieutenant, and adjutant. Seventeenth W. 
Va. Infantry. Abner O. was not physically able for military service, 
and is now chief of the Diplomatic and Consular Bureau in the Fifth 
Auditor's office, AVashington, I). C. James W. and Benj. F. have died 
since the war. 

His father was a farmer, and he was reared on the farm. In Novem- 
ber, 1849, liis father moved with his family into Western Virginia, and 
settled in Taylor county. George R., as a youth, was of very studious 
liabits and good memory; but enjoyed limited means of acquiring an 
education, having access to such schools only as the state of Virginia 
then afforded, and that during the winter months only. In January 
1850, he was taken with a severe attack of pleurisy, followed by general 
prostration, from which he was totally disabled for farm work for three 
years, and which broke up the plan of home study he had marked out 
and just entered upon. In 1852, having partially regained health, he 
took a country school and followed teaching in Taylor, and Barbour 
counties, Va., until the winter of 1859. From 1855 to 1861 he was a 
citizen of (irafton, where he married December 24, 1858, Miss Caroline 
A. Thayer, a daughter of Franklin and Mary Thayer, then of Mon- 



38 ORGANIZATION OF REGIMENT. 

ongalia county, \'a. While teaching school he turned his attention to 
the stud) of the law, an<l in tlie last week of 1859, passed the necessary 
examination and was admitted to the bar, opening the first law office in 
( Jrafton. 

At this time, Rew Simeon Siegfried was publishing the Grafton .Sr//- 
tinel, Grafton's first newspaper, to which ^^r. Latham became an occa- 
sional contributor, participating to some extent, without an interest, in 
its management. About the time of the Presidential nominations for 
i860 the Sentinel suspended, and lie took the office and jniblished a 
campaign pai)er called the Western I'/ro/n/an, in the interest o7 Bell 
and Everett. .After the election it became evident to those who watched 
the sentiment, and knew the reckless determination of those who con- 
trolled it, in the south, that there would be "unpleasantness." In this 
border section business was now practically suspended, and all was ex- 
citement and preparation. 

Upon the passage of the ordinance of secession, the union delegates 
from \\'estern \'irginia returned home, many of them leaving Richmond 
in disguise at night in order to esca])e with their li\es. No one who had 
voted against the ordinance was safe to remain after it had ])assed, who 
did not immediately "flop over," as some did. Mr. 1,., in view of 
these facts, published an editorial about this time in which he said: 
"Considering the treatment of the ^\■estern \'irginia delegates to the 
convention, we do sincerely hope that no ^Vestern ^'irginia constituencv 
will ever again be represented in the present cajjital of the state." 
\'iewed in the light of subsequent history, this wish partakes of the 
nature of prophecy. He also wrote for ]nddication about this time, a 
call for a convention in ^\'estern A'irginia — the first that was written. 

Col. Porterfield, with a battalion of troops from Augusta and adjoin- 
ing counties, was now at Phillijjpi, sixteen miles south of (irafton, where 
he was joined by Barbour count}- \()lunteers. ^\'. P. 'I'homjjson had 
organized a company at Fairmont, Marion count) , and moved to Fetter- 
man, one and one-half miles west of (irafton, where he was joined b) a 
company of Taylor county rebels under Hansbrough. The union 
leaders, though at a disadvantage, the rebels having the start by way of 
organization, were by no means inactive, and Mr. Latham was in con- 
stant correspondence with all the leading union men of the State. 

About two weeks before the election, Mr. Latham hoisted a large 
LInited States flag over his law office and turned it into a recruiting office. 
Maj. James Oakes, as mustering officer, and Capt. W'm. Craig, as 
quartermaster, of the regular army, had, in the meantime, been stationed 
at Wheeling, to muster into the United States service, such \-olunteers 
from Virginia as might present themselves. Mr. Latham at once placed 
himself in communication with them, often visiting them at A\'heeling, 
and they gave him all the information and advice he needed. By the 
20th of May he had a full company enrolleil, which afterwards became 



ORGANIZATION OF REGIMENT. 29 

Company B, and was the first union company recruited in the interior 
of the State. He and the company determined, to remain in Grafton 
and vote before leaving for Wheeling. About this time a little incident 
occurred which is probably worthy of note. The flag, before mentioned, 
was suspended over Main street on a rope, one end of which was tied to 
the chimney of Mr. Latham's house, and the other to that of Mr. 
Lewis', opposite. One day when Mr. Latham was in Wheeling, a com- 
mittee of citizens called upon his wife and advised her to have the flag 
taken down, stating that from threats they had heard, the house would 
be in danger if it remained up over night. She replied that Mr. Latham 
had left it flying when he went away, and, so far as she was concerned, 
it should flv until he came back. The alarmists, however, frightened 
Mr. Lewis and he took the rope off his chimney, and the flag into an 
upper window of Mr. Latham's house, leaving the rope still tied to his 
chimney. On the afternoon of the day before the election. Capt., after- 
wards Col., Thompson, commanding at Fetterman, for the purpose of 
intimidating the citizens of Grafton, marched his force, about one hun- 
dred and sixty strong, through (Jrafton and back, passing up Main street 
and down the raih'oad. When it became known to the citizens of Graf- 
ton that they were coming, the excitement was intense, and it was with 
the utmost difficulty that a bloody street fight was prevented. A single 
shot fired would have proved most disastrous, but the calmer counsels 
prevailed and bloodshed was deferred to await legal organization. As 
the rebel column marched up Main street Mr. Latham was standing in 
front of his oftice. A half dozen of fiery young men rushed past him 
into his liouse, threw the flag out of the window, and, rushing down 
again, dragged it through the rebel column and tied the other end of 
the rope to a tall post across the street, and it remained there all the 
evening, hanging so low as to obstruct passage, the horsemen following 
at the rear of the rebel column being compelled to turn back. There 
was in the town a company, probably fifteen to twenty-five, of little 
girls, who had been acoMstomed to meet and sing patriotic songs. As 
if by magic, these appeared on the platform at the Grafton House, m 
white dresses, carrying small union flags, and gave the rebels a strain of 
union music as the_\- passed back to Fetterman. Mr. Latham had sent 
his family, consisting of wife and two small children, to her father's. 
Tlie election passed off as quietly as a funeral, the largest vote ever 
polled at Grafton to that time being cast, and only one for the ordi- 
nance. 

Porterfiekl had moved on thai day from Philippi to Webster, four 
miles south of (irafton, and he and Thomi)son were to unite their forces 
at (irafton on the next day. Latham therefore collected his company 
after night, and while the rebels at Fetterman were really fearing'an 
attack, marched around them, striking the railroad at Valley Falls, six 
miles below, in time to intercept a 3 a. m. train for Wheeling. The lat- 



30 ORGANIZATION OF REGIAfENT. 

ter part of June, ('apt. Latham was ordered with his company to Graf- 
ton, where he met Gen. Mc("lellan and, knowing the locations, dis- 
tances, &:c., assisted him in jireparing Ids Western Virginia campaign. 
The company was then assigned to Gen. Morris' command at Phillippi. 
and took part in the campaign to Garrick's ford. Gapt. Latham had 
charge of Garnett's body, dressed and boxed it and it was sent in charge 
of a staff officer to Manasses and delivered to Gen. Beauregard several 
days before the first battle of Bull Run. This company alsa buried the 
body of a mere youth who fell by the side of his general, and placed at 
his head a board with the inscription, written by First Lieutenant F. A. 
Gather, " Here lies the body of a youth (name unknown) who fell defend- 
ing his general while his comrades ran away." The most interesting 
trophies captured by C'ompany B in this race were the patent leather 
wallet of George W. Hansbrough, with his name on it, and a cartridge 
box with the following inscription: " D. S. K. Knight who killed the 
first yankee in Virginia." 

Gapt. l,atham and his company were left at Bealington to protect the 
line of transportation. From this time on until his muster out in March 
1S65, his history is incorporated with that of the regiment. Toward the 
close of his service, Secretary of War Stanton nominated Gol. Latham 
as brevet brigadier general, after a thorough investigation of his record, 
thus placing upon this gallant officer, one of the ])roudest honors of his 
life. 

C'ol. Latham had the confidence and love of the entire regiment. 
The men believed in him, admired his courage, trusted his honesty and 
relied on his ability and intense devotionlto country, and he never dis- 
appointed them. With a knowledge of his conduct during the service 
of the regiment, the writer cheerfully bears testimony to the worth and 
ability of this noble and brave officer. He never failed in any emerg- 
ency, and his men would follow him wherever he called to duty. 

In the fall of '64, Gol. Latham was elected a member of the Thirty- 
ninth Gongress for the Second District of West Mrginia, from March 
4th, '65, to March 4th, '67, and was mustered out of the service March 
loth. During his term in Gongress he served on the committees of 
printing and of public buildings and grounds. 'J'his was probably the 
most exciting Congress the country has ever experienced. It was dur- 
ing the Reconstruction period and the ciuarrel with President Johnston. 
Gol. Latham, though an ardent Republican, did not approve of some of 
the measures and doctrines advocated by a majority of his party. 
While favoring the amendments which were offered to the constitution, 
in order to harmonize it with the altered condition of things, he would 
not agree that the rcconsfniction of tJic i^ovcni>?icfit was necessary in 
order to restore the states to their proper places in the union, or to 
''guarantee" future loyalty; and was in favor of local self-government in 
and for the states, and the seating of loyal members of Congress, legally 



OR GA NJZA TION OF RE G I ME NT. 3 1 

elected, whenever and from whatever state presented; but he was op- 
])ose(l to ever admitting to a seat in Congress, or to other important 
/"cv/r/v?/ offices, an\ u'/io Jiad not been continuously loyal. His position on 
these momentous questions is fully presented in his own language, in 
speeches delivered in the house on January Sth and May 2Sth, 1866. 

On account of the failure of his health, Col. J ,atham declined to be a 
cadidate for renomination. and about two weeks before the adjournment, 
at the request of the Secretary of State, he agreed to accept an appoint- 
ment as United States Consul at Melbourne, Australia. For this posi- 
tion he was nominated by President Johnson and promptly confirmed by 
the Senate, and left for his post of duty on the loth and sailed from 
Boston on the 20th oi April, 1867. This service continued three years, 
he returning in 1870. While in Melbourne he detected a whisky fraud 
upon the revenue of the United States, which was compromised by the 
payment of S75.000 into the treasury. He also collected from the Fiji 
Islands an indemnity claim of long standing, amounting to $45,000. 
The white residents, of all nationalities, united with the native author- 
ities of Fiji, and presented, through him, an application or petition to 
the Government of the United States to extend its jurisdiction over 
the group. President Crant and his cabinet, however, rejected the pe- 
tition. They then a])plied to Creat Britain, which promptly accepted 
the offer. Col. Latham delivered one lecture in Melbourne on the 
"American \Var," for the benefit of the building fund of the church 
which he and his family attended. The largest hall in the city was 
filled and the committee realized between S400 and $500. He was 
urgertlv requested to repeat the lecture in other places and for similar 
objects, but declined because the State Department, in a general way, 
disapproves of its foreign representatives lecturing on matters relating 
to ou: public institutions and governmental policy. When about to 
leave Melbourne, he was feted, banqueted and presented with addresses 
as no other consul of any nation, to Melbourne, had ever been. It is 
regretted that we have not a full copy of his reply to an address pre- 
sented to him by the Consular Corps. In this he congratulated them 
especially upon the fact that during his connection with them, all the 
nations represented had been at peace; and predicted in the near future 
the se:tlement of international disputes by an international congress, 
and ccnsequently practical disarmament. 

Since 1870 Col. Latham has retired mostly from public life, though 
slill taking a lively interest in al! the social and political questions of 
the day. He was elected and served one term of two years, about 1875, 
as Sujierintendent of public schools for Upshur county, West Va., and 
was appointed by President Llayes, in 1880, Supervisor of Census for 
the fiist census district of West Virginia. This is his last public office to 
date. He received a grape shot wound in his left foot at Lee's Springs 
on the Rappahannock river, in August, 1S62, which was thought to be 



32 ORGAN f/ATION OF REGIMENT. 

but trifling at the time and for some jears after, but wliich is now giv- 
ing him much trouble and pain at times. C"ol. ,1-atham has a wife and 
eight children living — four sons and four daughters, and he is now fifty- 
eight years of age. 

I.IICUIJ'.NANT COLONKl, Ki)r,i;Kl' MORAN. 

Robert Moran, was born on the banks of White Day creek, Monongalia 
('o., Va., near the village of Smithtown, December 27, iS-22. Shortly after 
this his father moved into what is now Marion county, West A'a., where 
lie remained until his death. During the boyhood of the subject of this 
sketch, there was but little opportunit}- in that section of securing an 
education, especially by the common people, who had to work both 
summer and winter, clearing out their farms. His father being a poor 
man with a large family, he received but a few months schooling, hi 
his boyhood he had strong military inclinations, and when he attended 
the drills of the State Militia with his father, he determined to be n\ 
officer if he reached manhood. .\t twenty-one years of age he was 
elected Captain of a militia company for five years, and after that Was 
elected lieutenant colonel of the One Ihnulrcd Forty-seventh Regiment 
of Virginia Militia, and si.\ jcars later was elected colonel of the same 
regiment, which commission he held until the war began. Upon reach- 
ing his majority, (^ol. Moran married, and began clearing a farm for 
himself. In 1852 he rented his farm and nunetl to the village of Win- 
field, about four miles from Fairmont, where he kept a general store 
and tavern, until April i, 1861. Seeing that war was inevitable, he sold 
his goods at auction, at a sacrifice of nearly $3,000, and on the first call 
for troops for the support of the government, he cast his fortunes with 
the union, and began to enlist troops for the Second A'irginia InfaJitry, 
of which he was appointed lieutenant colonel, upon its organization in 
July, 1 86 1. At the convention held in ^\'heeling, May 13, 1861, 
Col. Moran was a delegate, and took a prominent and positive 
part in its proceedings. Col. Moran participated in all the cam- 
paigns of his regiment, until May 20, 1862. when he resigned his 
office. His health had become so bad that he had to retire, and was 
so worn down at the time, that he had to be hauleil in an ambulance to 
New Creek, and it was weeks before he was able to reach his home. 
After his return home. Gen. Jones, of the confederate army, made a raid 
through Fairmont and that part of the state, and Col. Moran did good 
service in the defence made against the raider. 

After the war he was assessor of Internal Revenue for two years, and 
in 1875 was land commissioner for one-half of Marion county, to place 
a valuation on all real estate for taxation. In the spring of iS;6, he 
moved to Platte county, Nebraska, of which he was elected county com- 
missioner one term, and since then his health has been so bad, that he 
has declined to serve in any office, though often solicited by the people 
to do so. He is now living on his farm of 640 acres, greatly enfe«bled 
by disease. 




ALEXANDER SCOTT, 

LIEUTENANT COLONEL. 




MAJOR H. C. FLESHER 



OR GA NIZA TION OF RE G I ME NT. 3 3 

IJKUTENANT-COl.ONKI. AI.KXAXDF.R SCOTT. 

Alexander Scott was a native of Franklin county. I'a.. and of Scotch- 
Irish origin. Mis parents' relatives, as well as those of his Vvife. fled to 
this country during the Irish Rebellion, and are of a sturd}', courageous 
stock. Col. Scott's grandfather. Alexander Scott, was a soldier in the 
Revolutionarv war. and the colonel comes honcstl}' of his soldierly- 
qualities. Mis father, Samuel Scott, was a farmer, and moved to 
Wooster. Ohio, in 1836, when the son went to Pittsburgh to study music. 
lie gave up his studies to enter the service in the Mexican war, and 
went out from Pittsburgh with the "Rough and Ready ( luards," com- 
manded by ("apt. Rowley. 'Phis compan\' was mustered in as C'om- 
pany F Maryland and District of Columbia volunteers, October 8, 1847, 
and was on duty until Jul\- 24. 1848, when it was mustered out. At the 
close of the Mexican war, ("ol. Scott married Eleanor (r. Smith, daugh- 
ter of Prof. James M. .Smith, of Pittsburgh, formerly of Londonderry, 
Ireland, and went to reside in Nashville, 'Penn.. and from there to 
Mississip])i, and engaged in the furniture business. 'Phey remained there 
until the breaking out of the rebellion. Pie was at that time a meudjer 
of the Aberdeen Masonic Podge, and commanded the Monroe Ride 
Volunteers. 'I'his comjjany was ordered to re|)ort for dnt\ at Macon, 
(ia., to go into a confederate regiment, and the colonel was given com- 
mand, but he ileclined the offer, and left the South, returning to Pitts- 
burgh. Here he aided in recruiting Company P' of the regiment of 
which he became lieutenant-colonel, entering the serv'-ice as captain of 
the company. He was in all the battles in which the regiment took 
part, and his history is intimately connected with all the operations of 
the army recorded in the f(jllowing chapters. .\t the battle of Second 
Bull Run, August 30. 1862, he had his horse shot under him. At the 
battle of Droop Mountain. November 6, 1863. he commanded the rem- 
nant of the regiment, and was complimented on the held by Ceneral 
Averill, for his gallant conduct. He had the entire confidence of his 
men, and they cheerfully followed his leadership, though they knew that 
it meant danger, and perhaps death. He rendered good service on the 
famous Salem Raid, where he contracted a se\'ere cold, from which he 
never recovered, and Avhich caused his death Ma\ 29, 1870, in his 49th 
year. He was mustered out with the regiment, and returned to jirivate 
life at Pittsburgh. He left a widow, who resides in their home cit\'. 
and three children. Mary Ra\- Scott, and Wm. Crraham and Henry 
Pirown Scott. 'Phe two sons are employed in the otilices of the Penn- 
sylvania railroad. 'Phe daughter is one of the talented singers of that 
city, having a very fine contralto voice, and sings in the choir of the 
'Phird Presbyterian church. 'Phe name is also perpetuated in two grand- 
sons, Josiah R. B. and Armor G. Scott. Colonel Scott was an able. 
brave officer, a good leader, and was a worthy representative of the 
volunteer soldiery of the country. 



34 ORGANIZATfOX OF RF.Gf^fE^'T. 

MAJOR I. 1). OWKNS. 

j. I). Owens v.as one of the organizers of the I'luuuncr Ciuards, going 
to Wheeling as the captain of that company. lie was conmiissioncd 
the first major of the regiment, and served in that cai)acit\- until he 
resigned his commission, July 7, 1862. lie commanded the detach- 
ment of the regiment tliat went to llie battle of Allegheny Mountain, 
and was in command of the regiment at the l)atllc of Cross Keys. June 
1862, where he i)erforine(1 his duty, and handled his regiment, to the 
satisfaction of his superiors. It was a task of more than ordinary sev- 
erity, but he met it bravelv. 'l"he first colonel and lieutenant-colonel 
had resigned, and Major (Jwens fcjllowed them after the active campaign 
was over, the regiment thus losing its first otticers, of the first three 
ranks, as also that of adjutant and (piartermasler. 

MAJOR H. t^-. 1 l,i:.SllKR. 

Henry (". Meshcr, a native of Weston. Lewis count), \"a., was born 
October 27, 1838, and lived at that ])lace until he was 17 years of age. 
He studied law and was admittetl to practice in 1858, opening an oflice 
in Wheeling January i. 1859, and there remained until he was mustered 
into the service, as first lieutenant of the com])an\-, and was promoted cap- 
tain Ma\- J 862. In October 18O2 he was promoted to major of the 
regiment, which position he liekl until he resigned. He served as A. A. 
(i. for Cicn. Milroy before and after the Pope campaign in 1862. While 
in the valley with. den. Fremont, C'a])t. Idesher was directed to carry a 
dispatch from I'Vemont at Harrisonburg, to (leu. James Shields at 
Luray. just before the battle of Cross Ke}s. and was mentioned by 
I'"remont and Milrt)\- for liis bravery and efficiency. He was with the 
regiment in its hard work, and did his full share of it. He settled in 
Jackson C. II. ^\'. \'a. in March 1869, and was married in Septeud)er of 
that year to Mrs. Miriam V. Hoj^kins, where he has since been engaged 
in the practice of liis i)rofession. He has three children, Paul 19, 
l^earl 17 and Pauline 11 years of age. The major is a member of the 
G. A. R. , and has held the ])osition of Judge Advocate for the Depart- 
ment of West \'a. C. A. R. 

MAJOR \. V. .m'nA!,1,\. 

Francis Patrick McNally was born in County Coel, Ireland, and came 
to America when about seventeen years of age. When about tlie age of 
eighteen, he went with the expedition of Commodore Perr\ to Japan. 
The expedition sailed on the 24th of November, J852, and returned from 
Jai)an upon the completion of the Treaty, February 22(1. 1855, receiv- 
ing an honorable discharge at Norfolk, \'a. He was married to Miss 
Mary McNamara, on Februar}- 14th, i860, at Ironton, Lawrence county, 
O., by Rev. Philip Donahue. l)oth were adherents of the Catholic 
church. Upon the outbreak of the rebellion, Mr. McNally raised the 
first company that left Ironton for the three yea,rs service. He was 




MAJOR F. P. McNALLY. 




MAJOR D. D. BARCLAY. 



ORGANIZATION OF REGIMENT. 35 

wounded at the battle of Rocky Gap, August 26th, 1S63, was taken 
prisoner, and died at White Sulphur Springs, September 2 2(1, 1863. 

MAJOR I). 1). I!AKC1.A^■. 

1). 1). Ikirclay was born in ("oneuiaugh townshij), Indiana county. 
Pa., April ijlh, 183S. His parents J. M. 1>. IJarclay, and Jane Fergu- 
son Barclay, were natives of the same c(ninty, and born within one-lialf 
mile of each other. The subject of this sketcli served his minority with 
his parents on the farm, and at the age of t\venty-(Uie went to McKecs- 
port, Allegheny county. Pa., where he served his apprenticeship at boat 
building. .As soon as he had completed his trade, he went to boating 
on tlie Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and ciuatinued in the same until the 
breaking out of the war, when he went to Pittsburgh, and enlisted in 
Company D. When mustered in to the United States service at Wheel- 
ing, he was elected second lieutenant of the company. On the 2 2d of 
March, 1862, he was promoted to first lieutenant, and on July 7th to 
captain of the company. By his bravery and good fellowship, he soon 
became a great favorite in the company. He took an active part in all 
the battles and skirmishes in which the company was engaged, and could 
always be found where the danger was the greatest, and where tluty 
called. On several occasions he acted as major of the regiment. This 
was notably the case on General Averill's famous Uroop Moun- 
tain raid, and in the battle that closed the campaign, November 
6th, 1863, and on the Salein raid in December of the same year. On 
April 24th. 1864, he received the well merited promotion of major of 
the regiment. He took part in all the work of the regiment, until mus- 
tered out .\ugust 25th, 1864. During his term of service he served 
under Generals McGlellan, Rosecrans. Milrij}-, Fremont, Pope, 
Averill. Grocjk anil Hunter. Tlie regiment had not a more jjopular man 
in it, and he had but to give the command, when his brave boys would 
follow him anywhere. They had the utmost confidence in his solid 
sense, good judgment, fidelity and bravery, and ne\er in all his service 
did he do any act to lose the high regard of his men. His bravery is 
attested b\- the gallant work under Milroy, his faithful service at Rocky 
Gap, Droop Mountain and Salem Raid, and by his grand work on the 
final expedition under Cien. Crook. 

Major Barclay was married on March 4, 1862, to Mrs K. P. Reinbeau, 
to whom have been born two sons and two daughters. .After returning 
home from the army, he again followed his trade of boat building, and 
went to work for W. H. Firown, one of Pittsburgh's greatest coal mer- 
chants, and continued with him until Mr. Brown's death, v.'hen the firm 
was changed to W. H, Brown's Sons, and the inajor is now superintend- 
ent of their entire works at Brown's station. Twenty-third ward, Pitts- 
burgh, on the B. & O. R. R. The major is a deacon in the (Christian 
church at Hazelwood, and ever since leaving the army has been an act- 
ive and enthusiastic worker in the Sunday school. His wife often ac- 



36 ORGANIZATION OF REGIMENT. 

companicd him in the army, an<l is most highly esteemed by the men in 
the command. Major Barclay is a true American, a ty|)ical citizen 
soldier, a ])atriotic citizen, and a Christian gentleman, in whom his old 
comrades find a good friend. 

AKJLIANl HA^S. 

Charles McClure Hays, a native of Pittsburgh, enlisted in the I'him- 
mer (luards as a jjrivate. Idc was a law\er by ])rofession, and a ne])hew 
of judge McClure, who was famous as a law\cr and jurist before the 
war. Mr. Hays was a man of magnificent jjrescnce. remarkably hand- 
some, with a large and brainy head, and polished in si)eech and manner. 
November 6, i86r, he was pronu)ted to be adjutant of the regiment, 
which office he resigned January ii, 1862. Returning to Pittsburgh, he 
enlisted in Captain \'oung's comjjany of Heavy Artiller\-. stationed at 
l'"ort Delaware. He died at Harrisburg. I'a., about the close of the 
war. 

ADJUI'AX r WILLIAMSON. 

I). !''. Williamson was by birth an Englishman, and about 40 years of 
age when he entered the service, as a member of Comi)any K. He had 
served 12 years in the English army, and was one of the best drilled 
men in the regiment, especially with the sword. A\'hile the regiment lay 
at Elkwater, the officers specially had the o])portunit\- to learn his skill 
in this respect. Many, if not all, of the line officers at that time, were 
drilled in the use of the saber by him. He was a well built man, and 
made a splendid appearance in uniform; and in addition was well edu- 
cated and of the most genial disposition. He was api)ointed first lieut- 
enant of Company I in the fall of 1S61. and on Eebruary 7. 1862, was 
appointed adjutant of the regiment, resigning this office March 25, 1862. 
It may be said of ],ieut. Williamson, that he was generall) liked, and he 
had few enemies among the officers and men of the regimenl. 

StRGKOX K. w. lL\ZLl/rr. 

R. W. Hazlett, M. I)., was born at Wasliington, i'a.. in 1S28. He 
was educated at Washington College, Washington, Pa., but was prevented 
by illness from graduating; but subsequently the degree of A. 1>. was 
conferred on him by the college. Adopting the profession of medicine, 
he was graduated at Jefferson Medical College. Philadelphia, Pa., in 1851. 
and practiced medicine at Wheeling, \'a.. until the breaking out of the 
war of the rebellion. Dr. Hazlett was commissioned surgeon of the 
Second Regiment \'irginia Volunteer Infantr\-, June 15th, 1861, serving 
in that capacity until the fall of 1862, when he was appointed surgeon 
of Gen. Milroy's "Independent Brigade." He resigned his commis- 
sion as surgeon of the regiment March 2d. 1863. and was appointed one 
of the surgeons in the United States General Hospital at Grafton, West 
Va., in the summer of 1863. While at this place, the doctor was com- 
missioned by the Secretary of War, Surgeon of the Board of Enrolment, 




R. W. HAZLETT, M. D. 

SURGEON. 



OR GA NTZA TION OF RE G I ME NT. 3 7 

of the First District of West Virginia, which embraced about one-half 
of the State, and was mustered out of service June 15, 1865. 

The doctor was present at the surrender of (ien. Pegram. after the 
battle of Rich Mountain, July, 1861, and participated in the battles of 
Montery, McDowell, Cross Keys. Cedar Mountain, Waterloo Bridge, 
White Sulphur Springs. Freeman's and Kelly's Fords, Warrenton, Sec- 
ond Bull Run, Centreville and Chantilly, in the summer of 1S62. 

Since his retirement from the army, he has practiced medicine at 
Wheeling, and has held a number of civil and medical appointments. 
Among the latter, the doctor was for twenty years a Pension Examining 
Surgeon, which position he resigned upon the election of Cirover Cleve- 
land as President. The doctor located for a company in 1858, the first 
])roductive oil well in the state of West \'irginia. 

SURCEON K. N. I.OVK. 

Kli Nathan F()\e was born in Loudoun county, \'a., Sept. 28, 1820. 
At the age of 17, he commenced teaching school, and continued in this 
occupation until he became of age. Having inherited some money he 
entered the mercantile business, but he soon tired of it, and began read- 
ing medicine. In 1847, li*-' entered the University of Maryland, from 
which he was graduated in 1849. 

He then went to \'irginia, where he was married to Miss Caroline 
Moore, Sept. 3. 1850. and practiced his profession until the breaking 
out of the rebellion. After the secession of \'irginia he was forced to 
leave his h(jme on account of his loyalty, became a refugee, and in com- 
pany with several others, left Virginia July 13. 1861, and waded the 
Potomac river to the Maryland side, where he found some Federal sol- 
diers, and went with them to the Point of Rocks, thence to Washing- 
ton. He next went to Ohio, but soon found his way to \Vheeling, where 
he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the Second Virginia Infantry. 
Upon the resignation of the surgeon. Dr. R. W. Hazlett, he was aj)- 
pointed surgeon of the regiment, serving until it was mustered out. 

After the expiration of his term of service, he resumed the practice 
of his profession at Waterford, Loudoun county, Va. During the war 
his wife died, and after the war he married Miss Armida Athey, of 
ALaryland, who survives him, the doctor having died August 14, 1882. 

ASSIS'l'ANT SURGKON S. FORD. 

Dr. Sample Ford was born in ^Vheeling in 1827. He attended the 
West Alexandria Academy, Washington county, Pa., and read medicine 
with Dr. R. H. Cummins of Wheeling. He attended one course of 
lectures at the Pennsylvania University at Philadelphia, and practiced 
medicine near McKeesport, Pa. Dr. Ford was commissioned assistant 
surgeon of the Second Virginia Infantry in July 1861, and participated 
in the battles of Cross Keys, Freeman's and Kelly's Fords and Second 
Bull Run. He resigned his commission in the winter of 1862; and was 
commissioned contract surgeon at Clarvsville, U. S. Ceneral hospital 



38 ORGAN fZATlOX OF RKGIMEXT. 

near Cumberland, Md.. in i<S63. wliere he remained imtil the close of 
ihe war. Me subseciuently practiced medicine in liridgeixirt, Ohio, and 
\\ heelini;. ^\ . \'a. He died at ^VheeIing in iS68 of liepatic disease. 

ASSIS'lAX'l' SURCJF.OX T. MII.I.SPAfCiH. 

Dr. Theodore Millspaugh was born in Tlster conntv. N. \'.. Ma\' 24, 
1838. He was ecbicated at Montgomery Academy, N. V., and Rutgers 
College (Grammar school. He is a graduate of the College of Physi- 
cians and Surgeons of New \ o\\ City, class of 1861. He was studv- 
ing medicine at the outbreak of the rebellion, and was two nn^nths in 
the l\ S. (General Hos|jital at AlexancbMa. \'a., immediately after the 
first battle of Hull Run. in the emplov of the Sanitarv Commission. 
iVfter graduating, he entered the service as Acting Assistant Surgeon 
V. S. A., and joined ( General Fremont's command in the Shenandoah 
A'alley, in June 1S6:?. He was ccjmmissioned assistant surgeon of the 
Second \'irginia Infantry August i, 1862, and served with the regiment 
until mustered out. fie has practiced medicine in \\'allkill,_ N. \'. since 
the close of the war. He is a Republican in ixjlitics, and has rejire- 
sented his district in the state legislature, and has held sexeral local of- 
fices. 

SKRGKAXr MAJOR (1. W . MILI.KR. 

George W. Miller was residing in (rrafton, \\'est \'a., at the breaking 
out of the rebellion and had been for se\eral years previous to that time, 
but the ])lace of his birth is unknown. His father's name was (leorge. 
He enlisted with Com])any K and was mustered in with the company. 
He was twenty-eight years of age. August ist, 1862, he was ])romoted 
from a sergeant to sergeant major, in which cajjacity he served to the 
end of the war. He was a soldier of much merit, intelligent, brave and 
trusty, and possessed a constitution to stand the hardships of a soldier's 
life. After the war he married and mo\ ed to Kansas. 

I'RIXCIPAI. Ml'SICIAX j. R. THOMAS. 

John R. 'I'homas joined the party that left California for Pittsburgh, 
and became mend)ers of Compan\- C. His jiarents were from Wales, 
sturdy people, from whom John inherited a strong constitution. He 
worked about town, like most boys of the day, at such work as he cotdd 
get, securing b\- reading and at the public school the average informa- 
tion of the day in a \illage. His chief joy, however, was music, and he 
could readily learn to pla\' on any instrument that was given him, but 
Ills special abilit\- lay in leading in martial music. He naturall\- called 
about him many kindred sjjirits, and for a year or tvv'o before the war he 
led a l)and of fifers and (b-ummers. that was unexcelled in skill in west- 
ern I'ennsxlvania. I )uring a great Rejjublican parade in Pittsburgh, in 
i860, the band was engaged, and was spoken of as the best in the large 
column. This band was the one that aroused the people of Cireenfield 
and California, the first Sunda\' after Fort Sumpter was fired upon, and 
rallied the lo\al hearts in those towns, leading to the enlistment of Com- 




ELI N. LOVE, M, D., 

SURGEON. 




THEODORE MILLSPAUGH, M. D. 



ASSISTANT SURGEON. 



ORGANIZATION OF REGIMENT. 39 

pany I. This enlistment of Thomas in Company G soon caused the 
breaking up of the band, and all that were old enough, enlisted in the 
Second \'irginia Infantrw Soon after the organization of the regiment. 
Mr. Thomas organized a regimental band, and afterward was appointed 
principal musician of the regiment. He remained in this position until 
the muster out, and was transferred to Company I after Company (1 
was transferred to the artillery arm of the service. Mr. Thomas was a 
brave soldier, and while engaged at Rocky Cap was shot in the ankle 
and severely hurt. After the war he engaged in farming, and is now 
happily located in Iowa, one of the stalwart, noble citizens of that grand 
commonwealth. 



CHAPTER III. 



COMI'AXN' HIS'l'ORIl'.S. 




N 'I'Hl^ following pages of this chapter, will he found the history of 
each company from its enlistment, until the organization of the 
regiment, including incidents of interest, in some cases conllict 
with the enemy, sketches of officers, and a roster of the com])any, con 
taining the rank of each officer and man. and his individual record. It 
is not claimed that these compan}- histories are complete and full or ab- 
solutely correct in all the details, as it is feared that such is not the 
case in some, at least, of the comjianies. Nearly two years were de- 
\oted by the Historian to searching for the facts, but he was not always 
successful in securing tliem. The muster out rolls, as published in the 
.\djutant Ceneral's re])orl of the state of West \'irginia, were used as a 
basis, but were found to be imperfect, and officers and men were then 
asked to correct the rolls so far as it was possible. Scores of correc- 
tions were made of men who were killed, had died or were wounded, 
and the |)roper credit gi\en after the names on the rolls; but after all 
the effort, the record is incomplete, and must so remain, 'i'liosc who 
could give the information desired, are dead or beyond tiie reach of 
the writer, and the fads can not now be ascertained, 'i'his is greatly 
regretted, as doubtless man\' comrades in reading the book will find 
omissions in their own cases, and will wonder wh\- the ])ro])er credit 
has not been given then). Weeks of anxious effort were cheerfully and 
freelv gi\en by the writer to make the record of each of his comrades 
perfect, and he could do no more. 

The compan\- histories will be found one of the most interesting parts 
of the entire work. Thev clearl\- sliow the patriotism that animated the 
men. and their readiness to hurry to the defense of their countrw All 
were volunteers, who entered the sersice without promise of reward, and 
had no mercenary motixes whatexer in the course they took. Their one 
anxiety was to defend the fiag of their country, and aid in (juelling the 
causeless rebellion that threatened the \er\' life of the nation. It was a 



CO MP A NY HIS TOR Y. 41 

regiment of comparatively young men, the average age being about 
twenty-four years, a large number of them being but boys of eighteen, 
while a few readied the age of forty. They were young, active, strong 
and intelligent, the making of a splendid regiment, and their work for 
three years fully confirmed all that was expected of them. 

An endeavor was made to secure indi\'idual sketches of the officers, 
and it was mainly successful. In a few cases it will be noticed that the 
sketch is absent, but it is because of the absolute impossibility of secur- 
ing it. Mundreds of letters were written to find the whereabouts of 
certain officers, but they were not found, nor could any intelligent record 
be hatl of their lives. In most cases where an officer was promoted to 
the field, the sketch will be found in the regimental organization. These 
sketches Avill be found veiy valuable and interesting. They are often a 
history of themselves. After reading some of them, especially of men 
from West \"a,, it will not be difficult to understanil whence came their 
intense love of their country and its institutions. Our officers, as a rule, 
were brave and efficient, and measured up well to the standard of 
l)atriots and heroes. It would be a source of great gratification were 
the histories of the'se men more complete and full, and if the lives of 
the brave men of the regiment could also be i)rinted in these pages, but 
it was not p(«sible. The large majority of the brave old comrades have 
answered to the last roll call, and many of them have left no record of 
their lives or life work. It is hoped that the following pages of this 
chapter will be found measurabl)' free from errors, and as complete as 
the lajjse of 2G years will permit. 

COMPANV \. 

The first com]xin\' from Allegheny county. Pa., that entered the ser- 
vice of other states, was the organization that bore this name in the 
Second Virginia regiment. The company was organized in Pittsburgh 
and Allegheny by Major .Vbijah Ferguson, an old Mexican veteran, who 
being rather feeble for active service, the command ilevolved upon 
Ca]:)tain A. C. Hayes, who was chosen to that office, with D. L. Smith, 
first lieutenant, and Oliver R. ^^'est, second lieutenant. It was arjiong 
the first companies organized after the attack upon Fort Sumpter, and 
immediately tendered its services to Gov. Andrew O. Curtin of Penn- 
sylvania. So anxious were the men to serve their native state, that they 
sent Lieut. Smith to Harrisburg, personally to urge the acceptance of 
their services, presuming from the fact of his having recently been a 
member of the legislature, that he could pre\-ail upon the Governor to 
accept them. The quota of the state having been filled, however, 
Lieut. Smith was informed that his company would have to wait another 
call for troops. The men now became impatient, and in the midst of 
the excitement of the occasion, news came that the enemy had captured 
Harper's Ferry, and taken possession of the P>altimore & Ohio rail- 
road, were nioxing on the Pennsylvania line, and were menacing 'W'heel- 

D 



42 COMPANY A. 

ing, Va. The loyal people of Wheeling called for aid, and this com- 
pany, then known as the "Washington Rifle (niards," chartered the 
steamer McCombs and took passage for Wheeling, arriving there on the 
loth of May 1861. On the 21st of May 1861, Major James Oakes of 
the U. S. army, mustered them into the service of the United States for 
three years. This was the first company of Pennsylvanians that was 
mustered for three years service, all the troops that were mustered prior 
to that time, being known as three months men. 

On the morning of the 25th of May 1861, the company, together with 
the First Virginia Infantry, three months troops under command of Col. 
15. F. Kelley, left AVheeling and advanced along the line of the Balti- 
more & Ohio railroad toward (Irafton, which ]jlace was then held by the 
enemy. 

At Glover's Gap, company A was detached to guard that important 
position, and more particularly to break up a rebel military organiza- 
tion, known to be in that section, under command of Captain Christian 
Roberts. On the morning of May 27th, a detachment of the company 
under command of Lieut. West, encountered Captain Roberts and a 
portion of his command, and in the fight that followed. Captain Roberts 
was killed, being the first armed rebel soldier that fell in the war. Thus 
the honor fell to this company of killing the first armed soldier of the 
confederacy. Jackson, the slayer of the gallant Colonel Ellsworth, 
killed a few days previously, was a civilian, while Captain Roberts was 
a regularly mustered officer of the confederacy. 

After this the company went to (Grafton, where it lay while the battle 
of Phillippi, the first battle of the war, was being fought some sixteen 
miles away. 

Upon General George B. McClellan assuming command of the army 
in Western Virginia, Company A was detailed as his body guard, along 
with one company of infantry of the U. S. Regular Army, and remained 
at his headquarters as such, during the time he remained in command of 
that department, participating in his successful Western Virginia cam- 
paign which terminated in 15everly, from which point General 
McClellan was called to Washington, after the first battle of Bull Run, 
to take command of the armies of the United States. Comjjany A al- 
ways retained the most pleasant recollections of their campaign under 
General McClellan, as his body guard. His engaging manners, and 
sense of justice to his men, greatly endeared him to his soldiers. 

The following is the muster out roll, showing list of members and their 
record. The company was mustered into the U. S. service at Wheeling 
May 21, 1 86 1, and mustered out June 14, 1S64. All the members not 
otherwise marked, were mustered out with the company. The recruits 
and veterans were transferred to the 6th West Virginia cavalry wlien the 
company was mustered out. 



ROBERT R. MORRIS— Marked in Company A roster, page 44, 
"Deserted March 2, 1863;" should read, "Discharged by order of Sec- 
retary of War." 



COMPANY HISTORY. 



43 



Hayes, Albert C. 
Otto, William. 
Hunter, John A. 
West, Oliver R. 
Smith, David L. 
Pentecost, Alex. J. 
Chambers, A. J. 
Black, James. 
Hutchinson, Jas. R. 
Kirkpatrick, Geo.H. 
Given, George W. 
Smith, Harrison. 
Singer. Franklin H. 
Campbell, Michael. 
Scott, Samuel. 
Gray, Hannam. 
Breen, John. 
Graham, Wm. H. 
Britch, Chas. 
Croco, Samuel K. 
Ray, William. 
Curtis, Charles R. 
Kincaid, James. 
Benj. F. Ackelson. 
Marvin xVnnis. 
Fred. Baxmeyer. 
William Bowser. 
Fred. H. Braun. 
John Bailey. 
Frederick Baird. 
Amos M. Barbin. 
Joseph D. Croco. 
Matthew Coates. 
James Conway. 
James Carrigan. 
John Campbell. 
Alexander Campbell 
William Dever 
John C. Dalzell 
Casper Diehl 
Fred'k Dickroger 
George Dixon 
Harmon Deinhart 
Patrick Daly 
Michael Donohue 
Thos. S. Eichbaum 
Conrad Eicholtz 
Adam Glistner 
Daniel Green 
Wm. Heine 
Louis Heinrich 
Wm. Happoldt 
John Johnston 
Wm. H. Jones 
John Koehnlein 
Patrick Kelly 
Benj. F. Kurtz 
Philip Kirsch 
Jacob Kuenzler 
Henry Kotlers 
John B. Kelly 
Alex. Lane 
Jesse Lloyd I 



Capt 

istLt 
2d Lt 

Sergt 



Corp 



Tm'r 



Bls'h 
Priv. 



RECORD OF SERVICE. 



Resigned July 22, 1861. 

Prom, from ist Serg"t Aug. 24, '61. Resigned March 13, '62. 

Prom, from ist Lt.Co. F. Mar. 20, '62. Relieved Aug. i. '63. 

Pro. 2d Lt. to I.St Lt. Mar. i, "v2, to Cap. Aug. iS, '63; \vd. Alleg'y Mount. 

Pro. to Cap. & C S. Feb. 17, '62; to Lt. Col. & chief C.S. 5th Army Corp<;. 

Pro. to ist Lt. and R. Q. M. July 7, '62. 

Pro. to 2d Lt. Co. D. July 7, '62. 

Pro. to 2d Lt. March i, '62. Relieved May 30, '63. 

Pro. to 2d Lt. Aug. iS, '63, Capt. Cheat K. Sep. 25, '63. Pri. to close of war. 

Pro. to C. S. July 29, 'Gi. 

Cap. Cheat River Sep. 25, '63. Prisoner till end of war. 
W'd Alle'y Mt. Dec. 13, '61. Cap. Cheat R. Sep.25,'63. Exch. 
Cap. Cheat River Sept. 25, '63. Exch. 

Discharged for disability MaiTh 12, '63. 

Capt. Cheat River Sept. 25, 63. Exch. 

Wounded at Rocky Gap Aug. 26, '63. 

Wounded at 2d Bull I^un. Cap. Cheat R.Sep. 25, '63. Exch. 

Capt. Cheat River Sept. 25, '63. Exch. 



Deserted May 20, '63. 
Wounded Second Bull Run. 
Wounded Cheat River Sept. 25, '63. 
Died Consumption Nov. 10, G3 



Re-enlisted Jan. 5, '64. 



Wounded Beverly April 24, 'O3. 

Capt. 2d Bull Run. Exch. 

Discharged June 20, '61. 

Discharged June 20, 61. 

Discharged May 25, '63. 

Re-enlisted Jan. 5, '64. 

Re-enlisted Jan. 5, '64. 

Wounded Beverly; wounded 2d Bull Run. i:)icd from wds. 

Died in Andersonville prison. 

Wounded Allegheny Mt. Dec. 13, Oi. 

Wounded Huntersville. Died from wounds. 



Captured at Cheat river September 25, '63. Exch. 

Captured at Cheat river September 25, '63. Exch. 

Reenlisted January 5, '64. 

Died of typhoid fever June 24, 61. 

Died of pneumonia May 12, '63. 



Wound at Alleg'y Mount. Dec, 13, '61. Re-enl. Jan. 5, '64. 
Reenlisted January 5, 'G4. 

Wounded at Cross Keys. Died in Andersonville. 
Captured at Cheat river September 25, 'G3 Exchanged. 



Iveenlisted January 5, '64. 



Wounded 2d Bull Run. Cap. Cheat riv'r Sep. 25, '63. 

Capt. Cheat river Sept. 25, '63. Exch. 

Discharged Nov. 4, '61, disability. 

Discharged Nov. 4, '62, disability. 

Killed in action, battle Cross Keys. 

Discharged June 23, 'Gi, disability. 

Discharged. 



Ex. 



44 



COMPANY A. 



NAMES. 


R.'KNK. 


RECORD OF SERVICE. 




Wm. Liidaking 


Priv. 


Died in Andersonville prison. 




Saml. Mitchell 




Discharged Nov. ii, '6i, disability. 




Enoch C. Miller 




Discharged April 17, '63, disability. 




Walter S. Marshall 




Reenlisted Jan. 5, 'G4. 




John S. Miller 




Died Dec. 14, '61, typhoid fever. 




Adam Moninger 




Transferred to Co. D, Aug. i, '63. 




Robt. K. Morris 




Deserted Mar. 2, '63. 




Jacob Miller 








Louis Metz 




Capt. Cheat ri\er Sept. 25, G3. Exch. 




John McClarren 








F. H. McCleane 








Hugh McMannis 


, , 


Wounded at Droop Mt. Nov. 6, 'G3. 




David C. McCuen 




Discharged Mar 7, '63, disablity. 




John A. McCrea 




Reenlisted Jan. 5, '64. 




Richard Pyburn 




.. 




Nicholas Rumple 




Re-enlisted Jan. 5, '64. 




Peter Romiser 




Killed Cheat River Sept. 25, 63. 




Michael Robel 




Died in Andersonville prison. 




John Ramsey 








Saml. L. Reynolds 




Capt. Cheat River Sept. 25, '63. Exch. 




John Stone 




Capt. Cheat River Sepl. 25, '63. Exch. 




Thos. H. Swain 




Deserted Sept. 25, '62. 




Henry Stubbs 








Henry C. Stevens 








James Sloan 








Chas. Schmitz 




Wounded at Elkwater. 




Joseph Swartz 




Discharged March 7, '63, disability. 




Gustave Steider 




Killed in action Allegheny Mt Dec. 13, '61. 




Edward Saladin 




Died in Andersonville prison. 




Jacob Slajer 




Killed by bushwhackers. 




Wm. S. Taylor 




Capt. Cheat River Sept. 25, '63. Exch. 




George Wilson 




Capt. Cheat River Sept. 25, '63. Exch. 




Charles Werner 




Capt. Cheat River Sept. 25, '63. Exch. 




John Washington 




Wounded 2d Hull Run. Capt. Cheat R. Sept 25, '63. Prisnnertill 


end ot war. 


Louis Wagner 




Reenlisted Tan. s, '64. 




S. Weisenberger 


" Wounded at Bull Run. Died of wounds. 




Henry Wagner 


" Died in prison at Richmond. 




L. H. Webster 


" Died, returning from prison. 




W. W. Youngson 




Re-enlisted Jan. 5, '64. 





CAPTAIN AI.RERT C. HAVES. 

Albert C. Hayes, the first captain of Company A, was born in Pitts- 
burgh, in the year 1837, being only twenty-four years of age when he as- 
sumed command in April, 1861. He had been but lately marrie<l to an 
exceedingly bright and handsome young lady, and on the evening be- 
fore departing for the seat of war, he marched the company up to his 
residence, where his wife, on behalf of herself and other ladies, pre- 
sented the company with a handsome bunting flag, which their own fair 
hands had made. This flag was carried by the company through its 
three years term, and is now in the custody of comrade Wm. H. (Iraham, 
of that company, to whom it was given by Cap. Oliver R. West, who 
brought the company home in June, 1864. Cap. Hayes served as com- 
mander of the company during Gen.McClellan's sticcessful Western ^'ir- 
ginia campaign, and resigned July 22, 1861. After returning home, he 
engaged in the planing mill business in Pittsburgh. He represented 




JAMES BLACK, 

SECOND LIEUTENANT. 




JAMES R. HUTCHINSON, 

SECOND LIEUTENANT. 



COMPANY HISTORY. 45 

that city in the Legislature of Pennsylvania in 1874. He removed to 
the West about 1886, and his present whereabouts are unknown. 

CAPTAIN WILLIAM OTTO. 

William Otto, Company A's second captain, was born in Germany in 
182S, and came over to this country when a young man. He enlisted 
in the regular army and served ten years on the western plains. Shortly 
before the war he left the army and accepted a position as first mate on 
an Ohio river steamer. While his boat was lying at the l^ittsburgh wharf, 
Fort Sumpter was fired upon, which aroused the old martial spirit in him 
and he enlisted in Cap. Hayes' company. On account of his army ex- 
perience and knowledge of tactics, he was elected orderly sergeant. He 
was an excellent drill master and a brave officer, and upon the resigna- 
tion of Cap. Hayes, he was commissioned captain and served as such 
until March 13, 1862, when, owing to a misunderstanding with a superior 
officer, he tendered his resignation. He afterwards served as an officer 
in Hancock's Veteran Corps, until the conclusion of the war, when he 
went back to his old employment on the Ohio river, and if now living 
his whereabouts are unknown. 

CAPTAIN JOHN A. HUNTER. 

John A. Hunter, C'ompany A's third commander, was born in County 
Down, Ireland, in 1831, and came to this country when fourteen years 
of age. He located in Pittsburgh and learned the trade of cabinet mak- 
ing. He had an extensive furniture establishment there when the war 
broke out. He and Cap. Alexander Scott, afterwards lieutenant colonel of 
the regiment, recruited Company F, and as second lieutenant accom- 
j)anied it to Wheeling, Va. He was promoted to first lieutenant and 
finally, March 20th, 1862, was promoted to captain and assigned to 
the command of Company A. He served with great gallantry during the 
Fremont and Pope campaigns. After the West Virginia campaign, 
August ist, 1863, he was relieved from command and returned to Pitts- 
burgh. After the war he engaged in business in the Pennsylvania oil 
regions, Venango antl Crawford counties, for a number of years, but 
afterwards returned to Pittsburgh and engaged in the grocery business. 
He was elected school director and served as such several terms. He 
married Miss Mary Fowler and has seven children, all living. He has 
now retired from active business, though still residing in Pittsburgh. 

CAPTAIN OLIVER R. WEST. 

Oliver R. West, the fourth and last commander of Company A, was 
born in Allegheny county, Pa., October 17th, 1S29. He learned the 
trade of machinist, and was employed as such when the war broke out. 
He was elected second lieutenant of the company and participated in 
all the marches, campaigns, skirmishes and battles of the company dur- 
ing its three years hard service. He was promoted to first lieutenant 
March ist, 1862, and finally captain August i8th, 1863. He had a con- 
stitution like iron, that enabled him to be always ready for duty, and on 



46 COMPANY A. 

hand in every fight. At the battle of Allegheny Mountain he was 
wounded in the knee, autl narrowly escaped death. Lieut. Sicknian, of 
('ouipany G, who was temporarily acting as first lieutenant t)f Com])any 
A, was mortally wounded and died in his arms. His bravery and many 
sterling quabties endeared him to the men of his company, and he was 
familiarly termed by them "Old Standby." He brought the company 
home to Pittsburgh, and then settled down to his trade of machinist, 
and as such is still employed in Allegheny. He never married, but 
faithfully supported and resided with his aged mother until her death in 
1890. 

I.IF.U'l'. DAVI!) I.. SMnil. 

David L. Smith was born in ('iimberland county. Pennsylvania, Feb. 
4, 1826, and moved with his parents to Pittsburgh in May 1S36. He 
was married to Elizabeth Gordon in September 1852, who died in 1877; 
was married to Helen M. Armstrong in 1879, ^"'^ moved to C'hester 
county in December 1S81, where he now resides and is engaged in farm- 
ing. He was elected a member of the common council of Allegheny 
City in 1S54, and served one year; was elected to the legislature of 
Pennsylvania in 1854 and served in the session of 1855. He was a 
clerk by profession, and in j86i when the war of the rebellion com- 
menced, was chief clerk in the commissioner's oftice of Allegheny coun- 
ty. After the war, in 1S67, he was again elected a member of common 
councils of Allegheny ('ity, and a member of the school board, in 
which he served eleven years. At the election in 1867, he was again 
elected to the Legislature and represented Allegheny ct)unty in the ses- 
sion of 1868. 

He took an active part in forming and organizing a company of 
volunteers, then known as the Washington Rifles, of which he became 
first lieutenant. 

At Grafton on the 25th of May, he was detailed as acting assistant 
quartermaster and commissary of subsistence, in charge of posts all 
over Western Virginia. In August 1861, on the resignation of 
Capt. A. L. Hayes, he was promoted to the captaincy of Company A 
and went to Beverly to take command of the company, but General Mc- 
Clellan would not relieve him from his detail as assistant cjuartermaster, 
remarking that "good quartermasters were harder to find than good 
captains." 

On the 19th of February 1862, he was appointed by the Secretary of 
War a commissary of subsistence, with the rank of captain. In 
June 1862 he was ordered on duty on the staff of General Sigel at 
Martinsburg, Va. In September 1862, he was assigned as acting chief 
commissary of subsistence of the Twelfth Army Corps, General 
Mansfield commanding. In March 1863 he was assigned to 5th Corps Head- 
quarters, General George G. Meade commanding, as acting chief com- 
missary of the Corps, and on the 25th of September 1S64, was made 




WILLIAM H. GRAHAM. 




FRANKLIN H. SINGER. 



COMPANY HISTORY. 47 

chief commissary of the Fifth Corps, with the rank of lieutenant- 
colonel. He served on the Fifth ("orps staff until the corps was dis- 
banded in September 1865, and was honorably discharged on the i6th 
of March 1866, having remained on duty as post commissary of 
subsistence at Baltimore, Md., until that date, when he was relieved 
from duty by one of the officers of the regular army, thus serving con- 
tinuously from May 19th 186 1 to March i6th 1866 or 4 years, 9 months 
and 27 days. 

LIEUTENANT JAMES BLACK. 

James Black was born in Canada, in 1826, and followed lumbering 
most of the time. He was sojourning in Pittsburgh when the war broke 
out, and enlisted as a private in Company A; was elected fifth sergeant 
and gradually worked his way up until March ist, 1862, he was com- 
missioned second lieutenant. He was a brave officer and served with 
credit through the campaigns under Gens. Fremont and Pope. After the 
battle of Antietam the regiment was transferred to Western Virginia, 
and while lying at Beverly, May, 30th, 1863, he returned to civil life. 
After the war he removed to Big Swamico, Brown county, Wis., where 
he engaged in the lumbering business and is still residing there. He led 
the squad while at Beverly, 1862-63, t'^^t captured Flornet, a bush- 
whacker in the mountains, and was with the picket at Beverly bridge, 
when the confederate force attacked our camp in April, 1863. 

LIEUTENANT JAMES R. HUTCHINSON. 

James R. Hutchinson is a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., born in the 
year 1838. After receiving a common school education he worked in a 
printing office for a number of years. He then served an apprentice- 
ship of four years at the engine works of Robinson, Minis & Miller. 
After thus learning his trade, he was employed on locomotive work in 
the Connellsville Railroad Shops. While serving his apprenticeship in 
1857, he joined a volunteer rifle company and drilled faithfully in the 
manual of arms, marching and skirmish drills, thus obtaining that 
knowledge that was of such great service afterward in the dark days of 
the sixties. The opening of the war found him employed at the engine 
works of Nuttall & Kirkpatrick, in Allegheny. He promptly enlisted 
and was mustered into the service for three years in Company A as first 
duty sergeant. By strict attention to duty and bravery in action, he 
was promoted to orderly sergeant, and August 18th, 1863, to second 
lieutenant. He richly merited and deserved promotion to first lieuten- 
ant, and would undoubtedly have received it, but unfortunately was 
sent out, September 25th, 1863, to an exposed and defenseless picket 
post on Cheat river, thirteen miles from nearest support, with a small 
force of thirty men, where he was surrounded and surprised at night by 
a rebel battalion commanded by Major Lang, and after brief resistance, 
during which one of his command was killed and several wounded, he 
and the rest of the squad were captured. He was kept a prisoner until 



48 COMPANY A. 

close of the war, being transferred from Richmond, Va. , to the foUow- 
ing rebel prisons: Danville, Va. : Macon, Ga. ; (Charleston and Colum- 
bia, S. C. ; Goldsboro. Raleigh, and ("liarlotte, N. C Lieut. Hutchinson 
was a universal favorite, not only in the company, but also in the regiment, 
on account of his good humor and jollity. He always had a smile or joke 
ready to enliven the gloomiest nuirch. He was married .\pril 26th, 
1866, to Miss Mary V.. ('orken, whose' father was a soldier and was 
killed in the battle of ('edar Mountain, \'a. After Lieut. Hutchinson 
returned to civil life, he started in the steam engine and machine busi- 
ness, in Allegheny, and still continues at it. He has been commander 
of Post 88, G. A. R., and also commander of Encampment No. i. 
Union Veteran Legion. 

C()RPOR.-\L GR.\HAM. 

Wm. H. Graham, corporal Company A, was born in Allegheny, Pa., 
August 3d, 1844. He attended the i)ublic schools until fourteen years 
of age, when, owing to the death of his father, he as the oldest son, was 
compelled to leave school and seek employment, to help support his 
widowed mother and family. He was in the employ of Maffit & Old, 
brass manufacturers, when Fort Sumpter was fired upon, and although 
not seventeen years old, he managed to get enrolled in the Washington 
Rifle Guards, afterwards (^)mpany A, and was mustered into the Cnited 
States service for three years. He participated in most all of the en- 
gagements, scouts, and campaigns with his regiment. Was wounded in 
the right arm in the l)attle of Rocky Gap, an<l after a few months so- 
journ in the West Penn Hospital, at Pittsburgh, rejoined his regiment in 
time to start with the expedition under Gen. Averill, culminating in the 
brilliant victory of Droop Mountain. Upon the expiration of his three 
years term, he accepted service in the quartermaster's department, and 
was attached to Gen. Sheridan's headquarters during that dashing gen- 
eral's brilliant campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, resulting in the great 
victories of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, where Sheridan 
made his famous ride. He also accompanied Sheridan in his march 
across Virginia and ride aroun<l Richmond, joining Cien. Grant at 
Petersburg; thence Gen. Sheridan, with his cavalry and the Fifth Corps 
of Infantry, sw^mg around Lee's flank and fought the decisive battle of 
Five Forks, breaking Lee's line and capturing Petersburg, and compell- 
ing the evacuation of Richmond. During these operations and the vig- 
orous pursuit of Gen. Lee's army, he served as a volunteer aid, and it 
was while carrying a message to Sheridan, the eventful 9th day of A])ril, 
1865, that he rode out between the two lines of battle to the little village 
of Appomattox, and there, in the house of Mr. McLain, had tlie rare 
good fortune to be one of the few spectators that witnessed the memor- 
able interview between the two great generals, that terminated in the 
surrender of Gen. Dee. After taking part in the grand review at Wash- 
ington he returned to civil life. He was engaged in the wholesale 




BENJAMIN F. KURTZ 




FRED H. BRAUN. 



CO MP A NY HIS TOR 1 \ 49 

leather business in the firm of (iraham ^: Span^lcr, then became chair- 
man of Mansfield & C'o., Limited, brass manufacturers. He also took 
an active part in Republican politics, being elected a member of com- 
mon councils, Allegheny, in 1873, member of select councils 1874, and 
member of tlie Mouse of Rei)rcsentatives, Pennsylvania, 1S75, 1876, 
1877 and 1878. He was elected recorder of deeds of Allegheny county 
in 1S81, and is now serving his ninth year in that office. He was mar- 
ried September 30th, 1869, to Miss Sadie K. Shields, and they have 
had six children. 

I'KANK H. SINGER. 

The subject of this sketch is a native of Armstrong county, Pa., 
born at Freeport, October 11, 1838. He received a common school 
education, and removed to Johnstown in 1859, where he engaged in the 
manufacture of fire brick until the spring of i860, and then went to 
Miltenberger, Fayette county, Pa., and was employed as foreman in the 
Miltenberger fire brick works until he enlisted in Pittsburgh, becoming 
a member of Ojmpany A. He served his full enlistment, and was a 
brave soldier, almost to rashness, and as true as steel. He was a uni- 
versal favorite, on account of his unfailing good humor, and good 
(pialities as a man. When mustered out, he re-enlisted in an Independ- 
ent 15atlali(jn of Pennsylvania troo])s, and served until November 14, 
1864, when he was honorably discharged. He was so crippled with 
rheumatism that he had to give up the manufacture of fire brick, and 
accepted a position as salesman in the ('arnbria Iron Company's store, 
Johnstown, Pa., wliere he has been for nearly 21 years. 

( OMPANV p.. 

'i'he ••(irafton Ouards" were organized shortly after the firing on Fort 
Sum])tcr, the leading spirits in forming the company being (ieorge R. 
Fatham, Daniel Wilson, Bailey Brown, F. A. C:athcr, and (jthers, the 
company being fully enrolled on May 20, 1861. At the time of forming 
the company, the confederates were camped on the bridge across the 
Tygart's Valley river, on the Northwestern Virginia turnpike, nearly two 
miles below at Fetterman. When eighty men had been enrolled the 
company organized by the election of Cieorge R. Latham captain, F. A. 
Gather first lieutenant, and Daniel Wilson second lieutenant. 

Previous to this time, George A. Porterfield, of Jefferson county, Va., 
who had seen service in the Mexican war, was appointed a colonel by 
Governor Letcher, and sent into Northwestern Virginia to organize the 
com])anies being formed under the call of the State for troops. A com- 
pany from Marion county under the command of William P. Thompson, - 
which became Company .\, Thirty-first Virginia, two companies from 
Taylor county, one under command of John A. Robinson, that became 
Company A Twenty-fifth Virginia, and one under G. W. Hansbrough, 
that was afterwards disbanded, rendezvoused at Fetterman May 20, and 
on the 2 2d were joined by the Harrison Guards of Clarksburg under 



50 COJ/PAA'V B. 

command of William P. Cooper, which became Company C of the 
Thirty-first Virginia. The wliole force marched that evening to Crafton 
and then back to Fettcrman. On the night of the 22(1, Daniel Wilson 
and liailey Brown walked down towards Fctterman, and enconntercd the 
rebel picket on the railroad in the east end (A town, where Daniel W. S. 
Knight and (leorge Cdenn. of Ca])tain Robinson's compan\-, were on 
guard. Knight ordered them to lialt. Instead of doing so, they con- 
tinued to advance, Knight repeating his order, until they got close to the 
pickets, when Brown fired his revolver shooting Knight through the ear. 
Knight, who was armed witl: an old-fashioned smooth-bore flint-lock 
musket, loaded with slugs, returned the shot, killing Brown almost 
instantly. There were three holes in Brown's body close together, in 
triangular shape, resembling wounds made by buck-and-ball cartridge, 
one slug passing through his heart. This occurred about 9 o'clock. 
\Vhen the firing took place Wilson retreated, receiving the load out of 
Crlenn's gun in the heel of his boot. Brown's body was taken to the 
town hall by the rebels, which was occupietl as quarters by the Harrison 
Criiards, and properly cared for. 

Major W. P. Cooper, Thirty-first Virginia, confederate, from whom 
some of the facts of this shooting were obtained, relates that the next 
morning, in explaining to Colonel Porterfield how the affair happened, 
Knight said he " halted Brown two or three times, but he didn't stop 
and came up and shot me through the ear, and it made me so mad I shot 
liim. I hope I didn't do anything wrong. Colonel." The colonel told 
him that if he had done anything wr()ng it was in not shooting sooner, 
which seemed to relieve him very much. 

.\ committee was sent to the confederate commander asking for 
Brown's body, which was refused. When the committee reported back 
the refusal to give up the body. Captain Latham's company started for 
more active measures, when they were met by the enemy nearly half 
way to Fetterman, with the body on a hand car. 

Bailey Brown, thus early a victim to the act of secession, was the first 
enlisted man in the V . S. volunteer service, killed in the war. He was 
enrolled as a member of his company May 20, 1861, though the company 
was not mustered in until the 25th. His death occurred on May 22, 
while that of the gallant Colonel Ellsworth did not occur until the 24th, 
two days later. 

The Ciuards now started for camp at Wheeling, making a detour of 
twelve or fifteen miles around the enemy, who were closely watching 
them and stopping and searching all trains, and reached the Valley 
River Falls, about eight miles by rail west of Grafton, whence they took 
the train for Wheeling, where the\' were mustered into the U. S. service 
on May 25. On Monday, June 3, the company received their guns and 
accoutrements and began drilling, being now in sole charge of Camp 



COMPANY HISTORY. 51 

Carlisle, which was relievctl of all other troojjs then garrisoned there, 
which were pushed forward to the front. 

In the latter part of June the companv was ordered to the front, go- 
ing to Mannington, where they were in cainp for two days. 
About the first day of July they went to (Irafton, and on the 4th were 
ordered to Phillippi and were accorded the special honor of body guards 
to (General Morris, commanding. On the night of the 6th the com- 
mand advanced on the confederates who were fortified at the foot of 
Laurel Hill, deneral Oarnett in command, arriving there early on the 
morning of the yth, remaining in front of the enemy until the iith, 
when their forces being routed at Rich Mountain with a severe loss, our 
forces gained General (larnett's rear, when he attemptetl to make his 
escape through the mountains. Our command followed them, skirmish- 
ing with their rear several miles down Cheat river, overtaking them at 
Carrick's Ford, where a sharp encounter occurred on the 13th between 
the two armies, resulting, among other casualties on both sides, in the 
death of Cieneral CJarnett, the first confederate general officer killed in 
the v/ar. 

The company then went to Beverly, where it joined other companies 
forming the Second Virginia Infantry, of which it became Company B 
upon the organization of the regiment. 

Company B was then ordered to Bealington, where it went into camp 
and remained until January 25th, 1862, engaged in guarding the supply 
trains between Webster and Beverly and in sending scouting parties 
through the adjoining counties. One of the distinguishing features of 
the members of Company B was that they were crack rifle shots previous 
to enlistment, and were thus soon able to get all the effect out of an army 
gun, and they were more than ordinarily well equi]:)ped for the active and 
dangerous service that was required of them. Their efficiency as scouts 
was recognized and they were almost in constant service, in ferreting 
out the bushwhackers in the mountains. 

On the Toth of October, C. E. Ringler, with four others of the com- 
pany, went eight or ten miles out from camp at Bealington, on the look- 
out for a noted guerrilla in that neighborhood. Near midnight the party 
was fired upon by a band of bushwhackers and Joe Wright of the party 
was mortalh' wounded. Ringler and another comrade dragged and car- 
ried Wright, a very heavy man, in a speechless and insensible condition, 
through four or five feet of water in the creek and up hill about a quar- 
ter of a mile, where Joe had to be abandoned and died. Ringler "bor- 
rowed" a horse at the muzzle of a gun, rode to camp, returned early 
next morning with twenty-five more men of his company, secured 
\Vright's body, killed the man who had harbored the guerrillas, burned 
the house and barn where they had slept, and cleaned the place out gen- 
erally. Concerning Wright, Ringler says, "I have often found men 
loth to follow where I was willing to lead, but Joe did deeds of cool 



52 COMPANY B. 

bravery and daring that mailc me tremble." While at pjealington a de- 
tachment of six of the com])any was detailed under vSergeant O. P. 
Bower to capture Paton i\. I'.oothe, a confederate scout. Arriving at 
the house where he was stopping, at the foot of Laurel Hill, Boothe came 
out the back way and was mistaken for one of Companv B by T. W. 
Carpenter, who asked him if lie was not, to which he replied aftirmative- 
ly and then jumped the fence to escape, when Carpenter saw it was 
Boothe and fired at him, striking him just above the knee, inflicting a 
slight w(nind. The courtesy was returned, Boothe's bullet barely miss- 
ing (Carpenter's head. AVilliam Bibey, of Booth's party was captured. 
January 5th, '62, C'ap. Latham, with eighteen of his men, was ordered 
to Dry Fork, of ("heat river, to search for Bill Harper's gang of bush- 
whackers, who were stealing and driving stock away for the use of the 
southern army. They were joined by Lieutenant A. J. Weaver and a 
detachment from Compau)' K. The party reached the river on the 
7th, when Lieut. AVeaver's men stopped at Snyder's farm house, and Cap. 
Latham's men proceeded up the valley about two miles, anti lodged with 
an old bachelor by the name of Armcntrout. Next day they i)roceeded 
up the river about a mile to the guerrilla captain's home, but found no 
(me there, and then started on the return. LTpon reaching an open 
bottom, about a fourth of a mile below where they lodged for the night, 
they were suddenly fired on by about forty guerrillas, who were in am- 
bush in heavy timber about twenty jiaces from them. Being with- 
out regular formation, on hearing the click of the enemy's guns, our 
men instinctively dropped to the ground as a volley was poured into 
them from the timber. Our party then dropped back, under cover of 
the river bank, where, standing and crouching in the water through a 
thin ice, they engaged the guerrillas for about two hours, when 
the latter withdrew with a loss of one killed and three wounded, 
our party having six men wounded, one, Fred Doph, the old- 
est man in the company, supposed mortally, a ball having passed 
through his body immediately above his heart. Company K's 
squad had started on the morning of the Sth to camp and were not 
in the fight, exce])t two of their men who joined us. After the firing had 
ceased C'aptain Latham gathered his men together, carrying Doph to 
the Snyder resilience, and left him in charge of the family. He was 
taken prisoner to Richmond and recovered, was exchanged, rejoined his 
company, got married, and was discharged from the service for dis- 
ability February 9, 1863. The men then pressed horses of the citizens 
into service and started with their wounded down the river. It began to 
snow and rain and they were compelled to wade streams filled with ice 
and plod on through rain and uuul until Friday night of the iith, when 
tliey reached Rowlesburg on the B. & O. railroad, thence by cars to 
Grafton, where the wounded were left in the hospital. After a few days 
rest here, Capt. Latham rejoined his company on Cheat Mountain, 
where it had joined the regiment. 



COAfPANY HISTORY. 



SZ 



Will. E. Staftord relates how he and six other comrades of Preston 
county, A. C. Baker, J. C. Matlick, N. L. Lock, J. H. Dennison, R. 
M. Woodward and T. C. Nuzum, became members of Company 15. 
Stafford was a captain in the militia, and went to Kingwood in May to 
drill, when Col. Hugh was to drill the men that assembled. They fell 
in line, but the colonel failing to appear, Col. John F. Martin took his 
place. At once Stafford stepped from the ranks, declaring he would not 
drill under a rebel officer, and started for home. At Fellowsville he met 
a crowd of union men with their rifles, banded to sto]> the advance of 
rebels into their town, whom he joined, but the alarm over he went home, 
and was informed that a force of the enemy was coming to compel him 
to muster his company into the rebel service. The party nametl then 
attempted to make their way to Pennsylvania t(j join a union regiment, 
and while at (rraftou were met by Cajj. Latham, and invited to join his 
company, which they did. 

The following is the muster out roll, showing list of members and 
their record. The company was mustered into the U. S. ser\-ice May 
25, 1861, and mustere<l out June ^, 1S64. All the members not other- 
wise marked, were mustered (nit with the company. The recruits and 
veterans were transferred to the Sixtii West Virginia Cavalry, when the 
company was mustered out. 



George R. Latham 
Fabricius A. Gather 
Daniel Wilson 
Amos B. Hammer 
Asbury G. Baker 
Felix H. Hughes 
Oliver P. Bower 
H. F. Brohard 
Daniel K. Shields 
William Jenkins 
Joseph W. Shahan 
Milton J. Thrayer 
Bailey Powell 
Thomas Kenney 
T. G. Nuzum 
Martin T. Bailey 
E. T. Nuzum 
John S. Newlon 
Robert S. Gabbert 
Dennis Nuzum 
Ashby, Jos. M. 
Allen, Jos. M. 
Behen, John S. 
Behen, Launslot 
Bartlett, Thomas G. 
Boyles, Samuel J. 
Bayley, Mar.shall 
Bartlett, Samuel C. 
Bailey, John H. 
Gallahan, James 
Greel, Edward B. 



Capt 
istLt 
|2d Ll 

fa" 

Sergt 



istSg 
Sergt 



Corp. 



Wag 
Priv. 



Gorp. 
Priv. 



RECORD OF SERVICE. 



Prom. toGol. Mayas, '62. Wounded at Dry Fork Jan 8, '62. 

Resigned May 20, '62. 

Prom, to Gapt. May 20, '62. Resigned April 22, '63. 

Prom, to Gapt. Jan. 27, '64. 

Prom, to 2d Lieutenant May 20, '62. I-iesigned Dec. 19, '62. 

Prom, to 2d Lieutenant Sept. 4, '63. 



Prom, to 2d Lieutenant Company K. Nov. 15, '63. 

Wounded :a JJry Fork Chtat River Jan. a, X', and Droop Ml. Nov. 6, '63. 



Wounded 



Wounded Jan. 8, 'C2, at Dry Fork Cheat River. 



Shot in knee Cheat Mt. 1862. Discharged for disability. 
Died at Flemington Aug. ig, '61. 
Wounded. Captured at Rocky Gap Aug. 27, '63. 
Captui'ed on Salem Raid Dec. ig, '63. 



54 



COMPANY B. 



NAME. 


R.\NK. 


RECORD OF SERVICE. 


Corbin, Keubcn J. 


Priv. 


Discharged for disability Nov. i6, '62. 


Cooper, Jackson 


" 


Discharged for disability Sept. 6, '62. 


Clarke, John K. 




Discharged lor disability Aug. i, '61. 


Carpenter, Da\idO. 




Transferred to Company I July i, '63. 


Connell, Dennis 


" 


Deserted Sept. i, 'G2. 


Champ, Jehn 




Rei-iiiit July 5, '03- 'I'lMns. (\\\ W. Va. C.iv. Shot in I'.ice :n He;ilinL;lc>n '1.;. 


Curtis, David 1!, 




Recruit Jul)- 5, '63. Transferred Sixth West Va. Cavalry. 


Carpenter, Thos.W. 




Recruit July 5, '63. Transferri'd Sixth West Va. Cavalry. 


Conn, Ephraim 




Re-enlisted as \'etcrrin J.nn. 5, T>.( 


Creel, C. G. 


" 




Dennison Jno. H. 


" 




Duncan David E. 


" 




Dillon Daniel 




Recnlistcd as veteran Januar}- 5, '6.}. 


Drabell Jno. V. 


" 




Demoss Chas. E. 






Dillon Reuben H. 


" 


Recruit March 7, '64. 


Doph Fred 




Shot tlirough chest, Jan. S, "6^, :>1 Dry V'^tV Dlsthaiged Fel). ij, '6;. 


Downey Alpheus 




Died at Eranklin, May 22, '62. 


Demoss Joab A. 




Deserted February 28, '63. 


Grimm Nath'n'l K. 


'■ 




Cilendeniuf^ G. M. 






Gandy Amos F. 






Glenn Elias J. 




Reenlisted as \eteran Januar\- 5, ,64. 


George Jno. K. 






Hester David 


" 




Hebb Jas. T. 


" 




Harr Jno. M. 


" 


Recruit July 5, '63. 


Hardin Jno. P. 






Hemins Joshua 




Discharged for disability. September G, '62. 


Henderson Edward 




Died October 10, '62. 


Ice Eli 






Kirkpatrick fi. H. 


' ' 




Kerns John 


" 


Woundetl, Bull Run, Aug. 30, '62, and Droop Mt. No\-.6, 03. 


Kerns Benj. E. 


" 


Discharged for disability January 29, '62. 


Lafrance Jno. 15. 




Deserted No\ember 27, '62. 


Lock Nelinza L. 


Corp. 


Died of wounds. 


Leese Jno. \V. 


Priw 




Moore Jno. W. 






Morgan David P. 




Maxwell B. \V. 




Martin Ignatius G. 




Reenlistcil as veteran January 5, '64. 


Means Thomson D. 


" 




Murray Martin 






Matlick Jacob G. 




Captured on Salem Raid, December ly, '63. 


Mulrine E. \V. 




Discharged for Disability, March 28. '62. 


Miller Geo. W. 




Promoted to Sergeant Major. 


McDonald Arch'bld 




Reenlisted January 5, '6.^. 


McVicker Jos. 






McGee Chas. E. 




Dischargeil September G, 'G2. 


McCuUoughJno. H. 


" 


Killed at Monterey, Va., April 25, 'G2. 


McMillan Jas. B. 


" 


Killed at Bidl Rim, August 30, '62. 


McMitt Stephen 


" 


Desertetl February 28, 'G3. 


Newlon, Salathiel J. 


" 




Nye, Otis J. 






Nuzum, Job. 




Re-enlisted as \'etcrp.n Jan. 5, '64. 


Ordner, George W. 


" 


Woundetl Cross Keys. Wounded Bull Run Aug. 30, 'C2. 


Pfrom, John M. 




Wounded Jan. 8, 'G2, at Dr)- Fork Cheat River. 


Powell, John H. 






Pell, William E. 


" 


Discharged Oct. 22, 'G2. 


Pickett, Charles W. 




W'd by shell at White Snlphm' sprs. Aug. 62. Diowneil at Grafton June C,'6j. 


Peterson, Samuel P. 




Deserted Sept. !■, 'G2. 


Kyan, Richard 




Transferred to Company D June i, Gi. 


Ringler, Cyrus E. 




Wounded Cross Keys. \\'ounded in hand at Bull Run. 




DANIEL WILSON. 

CAPTAIN. 



COMPANY HISTORY. 



55 



RECORD OF SERVICE. 



Ryan, Patrick Pri 

Roberts, Isaac \ " 

Smitley, C. W. D. j " 
Shingleton, G. 
Stafford, Wm. E. 
Shepler, John W, 
Simpson, Kidd S. 
Vincent Isaac L. ; " 
Vanhorn, Wm. D. i " 
West, Jos. M. 
Watts, Alex. Corp. 

Whitehair, James |Priv 
Wricjht, Joseph 
Wyckoff, WiUiam 
Wright, John 
Wotring, Samuel G. Bls'h 
Woodward, R. M. Priv 
Waldron, Thomas 
Willhide, S, J. 
Willhide, John W. 



Discharged Nov. 8, '62. 

Wounded. Re-enlisled as Veteran Jan. 5, '6.). See Scout Chapter. 

Re-enlisted as Veteran Jan. 5, '64. 
Captured on Salem Raid Dec. ig, '63. 
Died of wounds at Phillippi July 17, '61. 
jWounded and captured at Rocky Gap Aug. 27, '63. 

Deserted Feb. 28, '63. 

Re-enlisted as Veteran Jan. 5, '64. 

Wounded at Cheat Ri\'er, Dry Fork, Jan. 8, '62. 

Disctiarged Jan. S, '62, on account of wounds rec'd at Dry Fork, Jan 8, '62 

Killed by guerrillas Oct. 10, '61. Barbour Co. 
W'ounded Kellv's Ford. 



Wounded at Cedar Mt. Aug. '62 



iWounded on Cheat River, right hip. See Scout Article. 



C.Jir='IAlN DANIEL WILSON. 

Daniel Wilson was born in (ruernse\' county, Ohio, August 24th, 7824. 
His father's name was William }•'. ; mother's. Jane — maiden name, 
Booth. His parents mo\e(l to IJarbour county. \'a., in 1S25. He mar- 
ried Miss Naomi Reger, of IJarbour count}', in 1845, b\' wiiom he had 
seven children. She died before the close of the war, and he after- 
wards married a second wife, who bore him four children. He was en- 
gaged in farming till 1854, when he went to merchandizing, which he 
followed in Barbour and Taylor counties till i860. He was a devoteil 
friend of the union, never flinching from any duty, no matter how ardu- 
ous or hazardous. He ably assisted Col. Latham in the enlisting of 
Company B, in May, 1861, went to ^\'heeling with the company, and 
was mustered in as second lieutenant. He was promoted from second 
lieutenant to captain on the 20th day of May, 1862. He was never very 
robust in health, but was in all the engagements with his company and 
regiment, until compelled to resign on account of failing health, April 
22d, 1863. In 1864 he was ai)pointed post master at Crafton, which 
position he held until 1876. when he resigned and moved to Michigan, 
in 1877, on account of his health, and died there in 1878. He has one 
son, James L. , who graduated with honors at A\'est Point, and is ncnv 
first lieutenant in the Fourth Artillery; and one son, Lloyd L. . who is a 
practicing physician at Grafton, West Va. 

CAFI'AIN A. 1!. HAMMER. 

Amos B. Hammer was born September 23d, 1S35, in what was then 
Monongalia county, Va. He received a common school education 
in the schools of \'irginia and Ohio, by choice he became a machinist 
and at the breaking out of the rebellion was engaged on the B. t\: O. R. 
R. , with residence at Grafton. He was one of the first to join in the 



56 COMPANY B. 

organization of a conipan\- and became identified witli the interests of 
Company B, of which he was made a sergeant at the organization; and 
having a little knowledge of tactics, took an active part in drilling the 
men and bringing the company to an efficient standing. He was with 
his company during the Western \'irginia cam])aign of '6i, and wliile the 
company lay detached at Healington, took an active part in the sujjpres- 
sion of the bushwhackers of that region. ( )n one occasion, alone and 
in citizen's clothes, he penetrated the haunts of the noted 1 farper gang. 
and gained such information as led to the capture or driving out of most 
of these outlaws. In the spring of '62, at the solicitation of (ien. 
Schenck, the sergeant conducted the negotiations with a number of 
guerrilla chieftains, which were largely successful. On the 8th of May, 
1862, at McDowell, Cap. Latham having been detached for staff duty, 
Sergt. Hammer was left in command of tlie compan\- iox a time, during 
which the company demonstrated its ability to meet an emergency, by 
taking a section of Johnson's battery into action, taking the guns up an 
almost perpendicular cliff to a plateau commanding the enem\'s position. 
'lliese were the only guns brought into action and determined the fate of 
our forces by enabling us to hold our position until after dark. On 
June the 8th, 1862, at the battle of Cross Ke_\s, the compan\ was in 
command of Lieut. Wilson. When Jackson succeeded in turning the 
left of Fremont's line. Milroy's brigade was compelled to change front 
under fire, and C(jm|)anies 15 and 1) were ordered to the frcmt as 
skirmishers and Sergt. Hammer jdaced in command. The confiict" was 
desperate for a time, but the skirmishers were held to their work by the 
Sergeant, until the e\'oluti(jn was completed. C.en. Milroy, in \'iew of 
these services, asked that a commission be given to Sergt. Hammer, and 
a commission as first lieutenant was issued in June to date May 15th. 
Lieut. ILxmmer did staff duty with (Generals Sigel and Milro) until in 
June. 1863, returning to the regiment, on the resignation of Cap. Wil 
son, and remained in command until the company was mustered out at 
AN'heeling in '64. During the three years service of Cap. Hammer, lie 
participated in every campaign and engagement of his regiment except 
the battle of Droop Mountain, and during the entire period, though 
slightly wounded three times, and exposed to the most trying labors, 
was never in hospital and never absent but once, for two weeks on sick 
leave. In Januar}' of 1S64 Lieut. Hammer was promoted to cai:)tain of 
Company B. After being mustered or.t in '64. Cap. Hammer hicated in 
Christian county. 111.. Finding his health impaired and being incapaci- 
tated for his former calling, he studied law, and in 1867 was admitted 
to the sujjreme court of his ado])ted state. Since that time he has con- 
tinued, with occasional rests, to practice that pr(jfession. removing to 
Kansas in 1872. and to Texas in 1880, thence to Oklahoma City in the 
wild rush of i88(). wliere he now resides. 




CAPT AMOS B. HAMMER 




CYRUS E, RINGLER. 



COM PA NY HIS TOR V. 57 

LIEUTENANT E. A. GATHER. 

F. A. Gather was a native of Harrison county, Va., born May 12, 
1840. His occupation before and after the war was farming. He was 
received into tlie membership of the Baptist church at Flemington, Va., 
and was baptized in 1856. He was a man of upright character, and of 
strong convictions in his devotion to his country. He cast his first 
vote in May 1S61, against the ordinance of secession, and was firm and 
true in the trying scenes that preceded the war. He enlisted in Com- 
pany B, and was commissioned First Lieutenant. He was with his com- 
pany in all its service to January 1862. Inconsequence of exposure his 
health was much impaired, and he was assigned to recruiting service at 
Clarksburg, Va., Jan. 10, 1862. His health continued to grow worse, 
and May 20, 1862 he was pronounced unable to stand military duty, 
and he offered his resignation, which was accepted. He tried to regain 
his health by travel and seemed to improve, and desired to re-enlist, but 
his physician advised him not to do so. He was dissatisfied to remain 
at home while his comrades were serving their country so bravely. In 
March 1864, he enlisted in the First West Virginia Veteran Cavalry, 
and was commissioned First Lieutenant. He was promoted to Captain 
of Company K. February 7, 1865, and Major June 8, 1865, and was 
honorably discharged in July 1865. He was in the campaign with Hun- 
ter and Sheridan in the valley of Virginia, and took part in the closing 
battles of the war, when (ieneral Grant's forces compelled General Lee* 
to surrender. He was in several severe battles, having his horse shot 
under him on two separate occasions, and proved himself to be a brave 
and true soldier, a worthy member of his old regiment. Major Gather 
was married in Grafton, W. Va., August 17, 1865, to Miss Helen V. 
Mallonee. His health became very poor, and in 187 1 he moved to 
Sedgewick county, Kansas, in the hope of finding relief and health, but 
he died at his home in that state October 7, 1876. He was steadfast in 
his faith in Christ, and the evening before his death he talked calmly 
about it, and said he hoped soon to be with those who were rejoicing. 

LIEUTENANT ASIJURV C. I!AKER. 

Asbury C. Baker was born in Preston county, Va., August 3, 1839, 
and died August 16, 1885. At the beginning of hostilities in i86r, he 
was attending school at West Liberty, Va. Feeling it to be his duty to 
serve his country, he quit school and entered the Union army, as a pri- 
vate in Company B, serving with distinction, and was promoted to Sec- 
ond Lieutenant of the company. A few months later he was forced to 
resign on account of his failing health, a result of his arduous service. 
Soon after resigning, he was apjjointed adjutant of a regiment of mili- 
tia of Preston county, and was appointed to an honorary position on 
the Colonel's staff, with the rank of Colonel. He was twice elected 
superintendent of public schools in Preston county, served one term in 
the state legislature as delegate from his county, and was twice elected 

E 



58 COMPANY B. 

prosecuting attorney of the same county, and held the office of county 
surveyor at the time of his death. He was a good hiwyer, a fine scholar, 
and was deservedly i)opular with the people generall}-. His remains are 
interred in IMuemont cemetery, (irafton, W. \'a. 

SERGEANl' (). p. I'.OWEU. 

Oliver P. Bower was born in Fairmont, Marion county, \'a., Septem- 
ber 3, 1836, where he worked on a farm during his early boyhood. 
After reaching manhood, he was engaged on tlic 1>. & O. railroad most 
of his time, until he enlisted in Company 15, in which organization he 
served until the company was mustered out, bearing the rank of sergeant. 
He was orderly for General Benham, when that ofiicer jjursued and de- 
feated General Garnett at Carrick's Ford, and was in the front when the 
confederates Avere defeated. He served well and faithfully. After mus- 
ter out, he returned to farming, and was married August 5, 1S64. He 
now lives at Big Bend, W . Va., his wife being an invalid, and to whom 
he gives his time and faithful attention. 

SERGEANT II. F. BROHARD. 

Humphrey F. Brohard, a native Virginian, was born January 20, 1S33, 
near Flemington, Taylor county, ^^a., now AVest Va. He remained on 
the farm with his father until 1S55, when he followed teaching and car- 
pentering until 1S61. He enlisted in Company B, serving with fidelity 
and bravery until mustered out June 14, 1864. The history of the com- 
pany is his history, and is therefore a noble and honorable one. He 
began merchandising in 1864, and has continued at that and farming 
ever since. He was married to Miss IMary F. 15ailey December 6, [866. 
Mr. Brohard was one of that noble class of Virginians to whom too 
much honor cannot be paid. Loyal, brave and true, they did their full 
duty to their country. 

CORPORAL CVRUS E. RINGLER. 

Cyrus E. Ringler was born in Johnstown, Pa., September 20, 1835. 
His father, Jonathan Ringler, a descendant of the Philadelphia Quakers, 
was killed on the railroad between Johnstown and HoUidaysburgh, Pa., 
in 1837. His mother was a native of Stoystown, Pa., and soon after 
the death of her husband migrated with her two little boys to the south- 
eastern part of Maryland, where she married a A'irginia carpenter, with 
whom she followed up the construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio 
canal, and then the extension of the B. & O. railroad, west of Cumber- 
land. Mr. Ringler learned the printing trade before reaching his 
majority and applied himself to the improvement of his education. He 
grew up a strong pro-slavery Democrat, and held a military commission 
under Governor Henry A. Wise, of Virginia, but with the first acts of 
secession, he took a decided stand for the Union and was probably the 
first man in Harrison county, \'a., to procure names for the Union ser- 
vice. He sought the first opportunity of becoming a soldier, a desire 
that had haunted him from boyhood, and became a member of Captain 




JACOB G. MATLICK. 




SAMUEL J. BOYLES 



CO MP A NY HIS TOR K 5 9 

Latham's company in May, 1S61. He was offered command of a com- 
pany of volunteers as well as other positions, but preferred to remain in 
the ranks of his own company. He was the first member of the com- 
pany inside of the confederate lines at Laurel Hill, as a spy, near to 
(General Garnett's headquarters, and only escaped capture by riding 
down the middle of the creek at night, and after scrambling in the 
brush and obstructions about the enemy's position, in the dense dark- 
ness and rain, and narrowly escaping being shot, he reached his camp 
at Phillippi the next morning. 

October 10, rS6i, he took four others of his company at Bealington 
and scouted on the lookout for a noted guerrilla, resulting in a combat 
with bushwhackers and the death of Joe Wright, an account of which 
is given in the history of the company. At Monterey he was detailed 
to the brigade department, yet at McDowell he was in the skirmish line 
with his company, and was stunned by a musket ball that shot the cord 
off his hat. At Cross Keys he was stunned by a rebel shell and later in 
open ground, he became the target for fully a hundred hostile muskets, 
escaping with a scratch on the face and a sting on the back of the neck. 
At Cedar Mountain he was chased back to the Union lines by five con- 
federate cavalry, and was arrested on suspicion by the Union pickets. 
The next day he was accosted beyond the lines by a confederate general, 
who was reconnoitering, as to his regiment. ''Second Virginia," he 
replied. "You're a little too far from your command, you'd better get 
back," was the general's response. There were two Second Virginia 
regiments there. In hunting for his regiment in line of battle on the 
Rappahannock, he rode down to the river in front of a rebel cannon, 
and seemed as little disturbed as if a fly had bu/.zetl between him and 
his horse's ears, instead of a cannon ball, ^^'ithin ten minutes after 
Colonel Latham had asked him to helj) hunt up his scattereil regiment, 
after the terrible repulse at the railroad cut, lUdl Run, he was shot in 
the stomach and in the right hand, ^^'hen asked to occui^y an ambul- 
ance he rejjlied "wait till 1 fall down," and the next day he was in a 
storm of grape and canister. He asked the surgeon for a pass that he 
might go where he pleased without being molested. "My (lodI"said 
the surgeon, "If you want an\' better pass than you have, I can't give 
it to you." Two days afterwards he succumbed to his wounds, helj)- 
lessly prostrated in a hospital at Alexandria. 

Back in West Virginia, when Confederate General Jones raided part 
of that state he obtained leave to go to (irafton, where he and a com- 
rade of his regiment went on a scout, and among other services captured 
two of General Jones' cavalrymen, whom he turned over with their 
horses to General Mulligan at Grafton, and on returning to his com- 
mand at Beverly soon after, he was confronted with charges of deser- 
tion. Subsequently he was acting on the i)rovost staff and employed in 
ferreting out and breaking up guerrilla dens in the mountains, and 



6o COMPANY C. 

participated in the succeedinic battles of Huntersvillc. Dioo]) Mountain 
and the Salem Raid. 

From January till April, 1864, he acted on courts martial and t-nquir) 
at Martinsburg, being no longer fit for active duty and was mustered out 
in June, 1864, and in about two months accepted a lieutenancy in the 
Seventeenth West Virginia Infantry, from (lo\ernor Boreman. Mr. 
Ringler often declared that he wotdd rather be a jjrivate soldier in front 
of battle, than anything else, and his conduct fully \eriried his state- 
ment. He is a studious Bible reader, is identified with tlic Methodist 
Protestant church and believes in a full, free, personal sah ation, in the 
loftiest and most liberal sense. 

S. J. r.OVLES. 

S. J. Boyles was born in Marion county, Virginia, Jan. 21, 1S35. He 
was one of the early members of the company, and sfr\ ed with honor 
as private soldier, until the comi)any was mustered out in 1864. 

COM PAN v c. 

I'his company was organized May loth, 1S61, with Ca])t. E. I'lanke)' 
in command, and was mustered into the United States ser\ice June ist, 
1861, at Camp Carlisle. The company saw some service before being 
formally sworn into the service, and was acti\e in whatever demands 
were made upon it befcjre muster in, resulting in some splendid work. 

It was sworn for a special trip to Sisterville, where it was understood 
there were a few pieces of artiller)-. The steamer Woodside was char- 
tered for the trip, and going down the river landed at midnight, when 
the company at once proceeded to secure the guns, which were hidden 
in an old stable. The trip was entirely successful, and the boat returned 
the next day. Among others who were on the trip, were D. Kit/, \ier 
heler, Klein, Cretze and Craebe. A jiarl of llie conipau}' was stationed 
at Moundsville, for a short time, guarding public and priwite 
property. 

Upon leaving ^Vheeling to join the regiment, the company went by 
the way of the B. cv ( ). R. R. to Clarksburg, where the\' had a diess 
parade on July 4th. The}' then went with two otliei- (-ouipanies of the regi- 
ment to Beverly, by way of Rich mountain, joining the regiment, and 
were assigned as Comjjany C. 'i'his comjjany did its full share of t!ie 
hard work of the regiment, and established a good leputation foj- faith 
ful, bra\'e service. They were alwa\s ready for dulv. and were esteemed 
highly by all their comrades. 

The following is the muster out roll, showing list of members and 
their record. The com])any was mustered into the United States ser- 
vice June I, 1861, and mustered out June 14th, 1864. All the members 
not otherwise marked, were mustered out with the company. The re- 
cruits and veterans were transferred to the Sixth West \'irginia Cavalry, 
when the company was mustered out. 



COMPANY HISTORY. 



6i 



Edward Plankey 
Jas. K. liillingsley 
August Rolf 
Henry Schultz 
Lewis r. Sal terbach 
Christian Petry 
Christian Vierheller 
Levi B. Keller I 

William F. Graebe j 
William Speaker 
Fred'k Schellhaas | 
Charles Bearly 
Christian Schwedus 
Christian Gaefke ! 
William Adams 
Christian Galleck 
Herman Dietrick \ 
Frank Walther 
Sigmund Gnam 
Jos. Wanzel j 

August Davis ; 

John B. Wiley .j 

William Young ! 

Armstrong, Rudolph 
Brost, Daniel 
Batsch, Theodore 
FJarley, Melchior i 
Bermetlen, Jos. i 

Bavoridge, John j 
Burkett, Hiram i 
Bowman, Richard 
Blake, Joseph 
Biehl, Daniel 
Bertsch, Jacob 
Carr, William 
Christy, Antony 
Conrad, Anton 
Coleman, Benedict 
Callahan, George 
Deitz, George 
Dentz, Anton 
Diek, Philip 
Dingfeller, Benj. 
Damury, John 
Dowler, Jacob 
Esslinger, Christian 
Ebert, John |. 
Emmerig, P.Tenry 
Faust, Thomas 
Fox, John 
Finzel, \'v'iHiam 
Fishman, August 
Friess, Isaac 
Glay Anton 
Goedeckc John 
Guth Frank J. 
Glatz Frank 
Gottschalk August 
Getze Henry 
Heitzman Lewis 
Huey Wm. 
Heidinger Wm. 
Hinkleman Wm. 
Hamm Thos. 



Capt. 



istLt 



2d Lt 



istSs 



Corp 



Wag 
Priv. 



RECORD OF SERVICE. 



Resigned March 5, 1S63. 

Transferred from Co. L and promoted Captain Mar. 5, '63. 

Resigned Sept. 10, 1862. 

Prom, from ist Sergeant Sept. 10, '62. Relieved Dec. g, '63. 

Transferred from Co. H. May i, 1864. 

Resigned July 25, 1862. 

Prom, from Sergeant July 25, '62. liesigned April 11, '63. 

Name on muster out roll incorrectly William Grave. 



Drowned in Greenbrier river, Va., May 18, 1864. 
Discharged on account of wounds received, Feb. 26, 1862. 
Discharged for disability, Oct. 2, 1862. 



Discharged for disability Dec. 6, '61, 

Discliarged Sept. 24, '63, to receive prom, in H.ittery H, ist W. Va. Art. 

Deserted May 27, '62. 

Killed in action at Bull Run, Aug. 29, "62. 



Killed in action at Rocky Gap, Va., Aug. 27, '63. 



Re-enlisted as veteran Jan, 5, '64 

Accidentally shot at Elkwater, W. Va. , Oct. 8, '61. 

Died at Wheeling, Oct. 8, '62. 

Wounded at Bull Run. 

Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 

Wound, at Bull Run. Discharged for disability Oct. 29, '62 

Died of typhoid fever at Elkwater, Nov. 19, '61. 

Died July 21, '63, at Ft. Delaware. 



Died of vi'n'ds rec'd in action at Bull Run Sept. 20, '62. 

Died at Cheat Mountain, W. Va., March 21, '62. 

Died at Beverly, Jan. 7, '63. 

Discharged for disability, Aug. 15, '62. 

Discharged for disability, Jan. 13, '63. 

Died Nov. 20, '63, from wounds rec'd at Droop Mountain. 



Discharged July 17, '61. Served in another command. 



Discharged for disability, Nov. 7, '63. 
Deserted Nov. 23, '63, at New Creek. 
iTransferred to V. R. C. Nov. 26, '63. 



62 



COMPANY C. 



Hamm Wm. 
Horwedel Jos. 
Heim Wm, 
Herbst Henry 
Johnson James 
Klein Jacob, 
Kregor Christian 
Koehline John 
Keller Isador 
Lauterbach Wm. 
Landbrohn Henry 
Lang Louis M. 
Lantner Sebastian 
Miller Conrad 
Myers Henry 
Mereir Wm 
Neidhart, John 
Nolle, Anton 
Neikles, Jenkins 
Poggmeur, Ernst 
Plankey, Frank 
Primatty, Alex 
Riester, Blassius 
Ritz, Daniel 
Rohrer, Christian 
Ritz, Charles 
Schwindig, F. 
Sturkel,' Conrad 
Simon, Jacob 
Sullivan, Owen 
Schott, Henry 
Sacksauer, John 
Sanner, John 
Schumacher, John 
Schwartz, Matthias 
Schellenburg, Jacob 
Turk, Lorenz 
Warnecke, John 
Wenzel, Frederick 
Will, John 
Weisgarber, F. 
Zahn, Fiddius 



Priv. 



RECORD OF SERVICE. 



Discharged for disability, Jan. 26, '63. Wnd'd at Bull Run 
Deserted Nov. 17, '62. 
Deserted May 8, '63. 

Captured at Union, May 16, '64. In Andersonville, exch. 
Discharged for desertion, March 27, '63, 



Re enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 

Captured Salem raid, Dec, '63. Died in Andersonville. 

Discharged for disability, Aug. 26, '62. 

CapUircd on S;ilcin Raid, Dec. 'Gj. Died at Uelle Ibland, Richmond. 

Died at Florence, S. C. 

Discharged for disability, May 18, '62. 

Discharged July 17, '61. Served in another command. 



Discharged July 17, '61. Served in another command. 
Killed in action at Droop Mt., November 6, '63. 



Captured at Cloyd Mt., May g, '64. Exch 

Re-enlisted as veteran January 5, '64 

Discharged July 17, '61, Served in another command. 



Deserted May 28, '62. 
Deserted Sept. 28, '62. 
Killed in action at Rocky Gap. Aug. 28, '63. 



Discharged luly 17, '61. Served in another command. 
Discharged for disability, April 24, '63. Wnd'd at Pull Run 
Discharged July 17, ^61. Served in another command. 



CAPTAIN" K. PLANKEY. 

Edward Plankey was born in Ciermany, and came to the United 
States when but sixteen years old, settling at Wheeling. Va., where he 
learned the trade of carpenter. He afterwards went to Louisiana, where 
he enlisted as a private in an infantry company under Capt. C. Walker, 
which was known as the '-Mexican Rangers," and served with great 
credit in the Mexican war. After the war with Mexico, he returned to 
Wheeling, and worked at his trade xintil he enlisted for service in 1861. 
Before the war he was ca])tain of a rifle company at Wheeling, which 
enlisted for three years on Lincoln's first call. This company had been 
ordered by the Governor of Virginia to go to Richmond, but dissolved 
at once, and then pledged themselves to the national government. 
Among others in this company, was Wm. F. Graebe. Captain Plankey 
went with his company into the service, and did his duty faithfully, un- 



COMPANY HISTORY. (,^ 

til failing health compelled him to resign. Returning home he resumed 
his old trade, which he followed until March 7, i8St, when he was 
elected superintendent of the County InHrmary of Ohio county, West 
Va., which ])osition he held until his death, which occurred April 5, 
1S85, at the age of 67. The captain was a patriotic citizen, a loyal and 
true soldier, an upright and conscientious man, and was well liked by 
all who came in contact with him. 

LIEUTENANT A. ROLF. 

August Rolf is a native of Pollier Province, Hanover Prussia, where 
he first saw the light August 13, 1828. He came to this country and en- 
gaged in business in Wheeling, Va., in 1846. He was first lieutenant of 
the '-'German Rifles," a company of Virginia state troops, which was 
ordered to do guard duty at the hanging of John Ikown. Lieut. Rolf 
enlisted in C:ompany C in May, 1861, and was elected first lieutenant of 
the company. While lying at Camp Carlisle, he was detached with 
forty of the men (jf his company, on special duty at Moundsville, re- 
joining the company at IJcverly. He acted adjutant of the regiment for 
some time, and commanded the company in the absence of Captain 
Plankey, up to the battle of Bull Run, and took part in every engage- 
ment while he was in the service. At the battle of second Bull Run, 
Lieut. Rolf commanded Company I, and after that commanded Com- 
pany r: until he resigned in September, 1S62, at Arlington Heights. His 
resignation was accepted by General McClellan. After retiring from 
the army, he was actively engaged in business in Wheeling, but is now 
retired, retaining an interest in different manufacturing and insurance 
companies. 

FIRS'J- LIKUTliNANT LOUIS 1'. SALTERIJACH. 

Louis Philipp Salterbach, of Llachenbourg, was born on 
the 14th day of February .\. D. 1829, Province Nassau, Kingdom 
Prussia, (iermany. When ^\\f^ years old, he was sent to school to be 
prepared for college. He entered the same 1S39, and was graduated in 
the 3-ear 1843. He continued and finished his education at Wiesbaden, 
frequenting the Gerverbe trade, Technique and Militaire schools. 

On the 23d day of November, 1848, Louis Philipp was mustered in 
the Second Regiment Nassau Lifantry, No. o^, oth Army Corps. This 
corps was mobilized in January, 1S49, to help Schleswig Holstein against 
Denmark. hi this short and brief campaign he took an active part at 
the celebrated Battle of Dueppel in April, and at several other engage- 
ments. He served in all military branches, with the exception of cav- 
alry, until 1854. He received a leave of absence to visit his father and 
brother in Patterson, New Jersey, U. S. He applied for his discharge 
in 1855, and received it, and became a citizen of the \5 . .S. He was in 
the mercantile business until Ajoril, 1S61. When President Lincoln 
called for 75,000 men, Louis Philii)p promptly reported, and enlisted as 
private in the Second Virginia Regiment Infantry at Wheeling, Va. He 



64 COMPANY C. 

carried the colors at Cross Keys, Slaughter Mountain, and other battles, 
and the last time at Bull Run in 1862. He was mustered out as pri- 
vate and promoted second lieutenant in November, 1S62. 

In March, 1863, he was commissioned first lieutenant, and afterwards 
placed in command of Company H, vice Captain Jos. Bushfield. The 
regiment was changed to cavalry and numbered as Fifth Regiment West 
Virginia. Salterbach was in nearly every engagement until mustered out 
at Wheeling, West Va., in June, 1S64. He then went to Washington 
City, stayed there until November, and in said month, he settled his 
business as commander of Company H with the U. S. government, in 
the ordinance and quartermaster departments, and with the receipt from 
auditor " French " in his pocket, he went back to his home at Wheeling, 
West Va. He is there yet and doing business as notary, insurance and 
consular agent. He is a worthy man and deserves well at the hands 
of his adopted country, to which he gave his best service and ability. 

LIEUTENANT C. VIERHELLER. 

Christian Vierheller was born in Fanerbach, Hessen Darmstadt, near 
Frankfort on the Main, June 14, 1S30. He attended a village school 
until 1842. At that time his father, Peter Vierheller, concluded to leave 
his native country, and with his wife and three sons, set sail for America, 
landing at Baltimore after a long journey. From there they went by the 
way of Pittsburgh and Wheeling to Monroe county, Ohio, where the 
family settled on a farm, which was nearly all woods. They began 
clearing it, but in a short time the father died, and the family was left 
alone to battle with the world, the subject of this sketch being the old- 
est of the children, and the only help, but they managed to change the 
place into a comfortable home. At the age of 19, he went to Wheeling, 
Va., where he obtained a situation in George Mendel's furniture store, 
where he remained until shortly before the war, when he engaged in the 
upholstering business on his own account. About eight years before 
the begining of hostilities, he was married, and when he enlisted was a 
member of the State Militia. He entered the service as sergeant in 
Capt. E. Plankey's Company C, Second Virginia Infantry. In the 
campaign of Gen. Pope, he was commissioned second lieutenant 
of the company, which rank he held until he retired from the service. 
In the winter of 1863, while at Beverly, he fell on the ice while return- 
ing from duty to camp, fracturing his left knee. The hurt was so severe 
that after lying in camp a while, he was advised by the surgeons to re- 
sign, which he did April nth, 1863, not being able for further duty. 
Since then he has been engaged in farming, and as salesman for furni- 
ture stores, his home being now at Wheeling, West Va. 

SERGEANT W. F. GRAEBE. 

William F. Graebe was born in Germany on the 5 th day of April, 1839. 
His father died when the subject of this sketch was 12 years old, and he 
came to America when he was iS, locating at Wheeling, Va., where he 




CHRISTIAN VIERHELLER. 

SECOND LIEUTENANT. 




WILLIAM F, GRAEBE. 



COMPANY HISTORY. 65 

learned the trade of shoemaker. At the outbreak of the war, he was 
one of the number that formed Captain Plankey's Rifle Company, which 
enlisted for three years. After giving his country more than three years 
of faithful service he was honorably discharged, without having re- 
ceived a wound from the enemy. Mis narrow escape at Rocky Gap, 
though, has rendered him unfit for hard work of any kind, being troubled 
with a weak back. He resumed his old trade at Wheeling, which he 
followed until 1SS5. He was prosperous in his business, employing 
several men all the time, but in 1SS5 he gave up the boot and shoe busi- 
ness, and entered the Fire Insurance business, and is to-day one of the 
most successful Fire Insurance men in Wheeling, having acquired a very 
large business. Sergeant Graebe married Miss Amelia Finsley, daugh- 
ter of Justice Finsley, of Sherrard, W. Va., to whom have been born 
six children, four of whom are living. Comrade Graebe is commander 
of E. W. Stephens G. A. R. post at Wheeling, is a Past officer in the A. 
O. U. W., and a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, the Ger- 
man Order of Hari Gauri, and the Knights of Pythias. He is a promi- 
nent citizen of his city, a man of integrity and honor and a worthy 
member of society. 

JACOB KLEIN. 

Jacob Klein had a varied experience, worthy of mention. In the 
Pope campaign he was detailed to Captain Johnson's battery, where he 
remained five months, then returned to his company, and remained with 
it until captured after the Cloyd mountain expedition. He was taken to 
Lynchburg, thence to Richmond, and then to Andersonville, where he 
remained until Sherman captured Atlanta. He was then removed to 
Florence, S. C, then to Wilmington, N. C, then to Goldsborough, 
then back to Wilmington, about twelve miles from which place, he was 
exchanged early in March, 1865. With him were Conrad Miller and 
Ernest Pogmeur of his company, who died from exposure, and Owen 
Sullivan, who was exchanged with him. He returned to Wheeling by 
way of Annapolis, where he was sick for six weeks, and was discharged 
April 24, 1S65. 

COM PA XV D. 

On the first Monday after President Lincoln's call for 75,000 troops 
for three months service, Thomas Gibson, Jr., began to recruit a com- 
pany in the city of Pittsburgh, Pa. ; but not succeeding in securing the 
full complement of men, the company was not accepted by the Gov- 
ernor. Recruiting v/as continued, antl when the next call for troops 
came, they again tried to enter the service, but having only fifty men, 
the company was again refused. But amid the excitement, they deter- 
mined to mount and equip themselves, and go as an independent organ- 
ization. While arrangements were being made to that end, word was re- 
ceived from Wheeling, Va., that troops were wanted there, for the pro- 
tection of the threatened border. The company unanimously decided 



66 COMPANY D. 

to go to that city and enter the service there, proceeciing by boat, and 
arriving in Camp Carbsle in May. (Captain Cazzam, of Pittsburgh, was 
there with about the same number of men as Captain C.ibson, and by 
an understanding l)et\veen the two cai)tains, the two companies were con- 
solidated. On the 14th of June the company was mustered into the 
service, with the foHowing oflicers: Captain, Thomas Gibson, Jr.; First 
Lieutenant, David Ecker; Second Lieutenant, D. D. Barclay. 

They furnished themselves with a Zouave uniform, consisting of sky 
blue ]:)ants and red jacket, and were armed with Springfield muskets, and 
supplied with twenty rounds of ammunition. They were then ordered 
to Grafton. Several trains had been stopped by the bushwhackers on 
this route previously, and extra precautions were taken against an at- 
tack. Comrades May, (;roves, Colmer, and one or two others, rode on 
the cow catcher under the headlight, so as to ])e able to see and not be 
seen, there to watch for the bushwhackers. It was a tiresome ride, and 
the men reached Grafton weary and hungry, where they received a 
breakfast of coffee and hard tack, and then proceeded by rail to Clarks- 
burg. Here the company went into camp with companies (' and E, and 
drilled and prepared for active iluty. While here the company went out 
on a scout and captured several citizens, who were accused of bush- 
whacking and giving aid to the enemy. 

One night one of the men of Company I), while out foraging, captured 
a good sized calf, and at once concluded to take his prisoner to cam]i. 
Arriving near the cam]) guard, the prisoner became sportive, and being 
the stronger calf of the two, started on a run for the camp, pulling his 
captor after him. The camp guard gave the usual challenge, but captor 
and captive had no time to answer questions, and kei)t right on. The 
guard fired his gun and the several companies ])romi)t!y formed in line 
of battle. The men being suddenly awakened from a sound sleep, came 
tumbling out, some only partly clothed. Company C had not received 
their guns as yet, but like brave men, as they were, they brought into 
use such weapons as were most convenient, and they fell into line with 
axes, shovels, etc. A member of one of the com])anies, with an axe on 
his shoulder, approached his captain in a quavering voice and sai(i: 
"Captain, if I should fall in this conflict, I wish you would write home 
to my mother." This became a byword in the comjiany during its ser- 
vice. On the 5th of July, the three companies started v/ith a supply train of 
ammunition, etc., for the troops under McClellan and Rosecranz, who 
were then facing the enemy entrenched at Rich ISL)untain. After a 
weary march through a drenching rain and the deep mud, they arrived 
at Rich Mountain on the evening of July 6th, the day of the battle, in 
which our troops were successful in dislodging the enemy. Though not 
in time to participate in the battle, the company felt proud of the honor 
of doing some little for their country. The companies encamped on 
the battle field for the night, and on the morning of the 7th resumed the 



COJ/FJ.VV HISTORY. 



67 



march for Beverly. On the way down the mountain, the little command 
scattered along the train they were guarding, and passed within less than 
100 yards of 600 armed confederates, who lay in ambush to attack the 
train, but were afraid to do it. The 600 afterward sent in a flag of truce 
and surrendered. Arriving at Beverly, the comjjany was assigned as 
company I) of the regiment. 

The following is the muster out roll, showing list of members and their 
record. The company was mustered into the U. S. service June 14, 
1 86 1, and mustered out June 16, 1S64. All the' members not otherwise 
marked, were mustered out with the company. 'Jlie recruits and veter- 
ans were transferred to the Sixth West Virginia C'avalry, when the com- 
pany was mustered out. 



NAME. 


RANK. 


RECORD OF SERVICE. 


Thomas Gibson 


Capt. 


Promoted to Major July 7, '62. 


D. D. Barclay 


" 


Pro. from 2d Lt. to ist 1. 1. April 17/62; to Cap. July 7/62; to Maj May i ,'64 


John R. Frisbee 


. 1 


Pro. from 1st Scrgt Co. I'", to 2(1 Lt. Co. D, May 20, '62; to ist Lt. July 7, 




'62; to Captaiu May i, '64. 


David Ecker 


istLt 


Resigned April 17, '62.. 


Jos. M. Bushfield 


2d Lt 


Appointed 2d Lt. April 17, '62, to ist Lt. May jo, '62; transferred to Co. H 


A. J. Chambers 


" 


Pro. from ist Scrgt. Co. A, to 2d Lt. Co., July 7, '62. Rel'v'd Sept. 29/62 


Jacob Colmer 


" 


Promoted from ist Sergt to 2d Lt., Sept. 29, '62. 


James May 


Sergt 




Robert Groves 


' ' 




Thos. G. Smythe 


" 


Discharged for disability, Oct. 25, '61. 


Geo. Nubert 


' ' 


Discharged for disability, Feb. ig, '62. 


Wm. Schmolze 


istSg 


Promoted to 2d Lt. Co. F. 


Jerome Brooks 


" 


Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 


Charles Stark 


" 


.. I. ,i 


Wm. Steinaker 




,1 


Wm. Gillespie 


.. 


Deserted. 


Michael Lee 


Corp 


Killed in skirmish at Laurel Fork, Aug. 18, '61. 


John H. Heist 


' ' 


Killed at Allegheny Mountain, Dec. 13, '61. 


Andrev.f Listman 


T'm'r 




Algeo, John B. 


Priv. 




Anderson, David 


' ' 


Discharged for disability, Oct. 17, '62. 


Ashby, Jacob R. 


' ' 


Discharged for disability, March 16, '63. 


Anderson, Jas. M. 


' ' 


Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 


Allen, Chas. 


" 


Deserted. 


Brubach, Michael 


" 


Wounded Droop Mountain. 


Bailey, John 


' ' 


Discharged for disability, Sept. 11, '62. 


Brooks, Bonaparte 


' ' 


Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 


Barth, Frederick 


' ' 




Black, Washington 


" 


" 


Burns, Michael 


' ' 


" 


Black, Geo. 


" 


Died at Beverly, Oct. 20, '61. 


Bernard, Andrew 


' ' 


Killed at Droop Mountain, Nov. 5, '63. 


Bowden, Samuel 


" 


" 


Bartlett, Thos. J. 


" 


Deserted. 


Campbell, Jos. 


" 




Chase, Ira 


' ' 


Killed at Bull Run, Aug. 29, '62. 


Dowden, Joseph 


" 


Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 


Doyle, Edward 


' ' 


Killed at Droop Mountain, Nov. 5, '63. 


Daugherty, Chas. 


" 


Deserted. 


Ecker, Jas. C. 




Discharged May 13, '63. 


Elkins, Wm. 


' ' 


Died from wounds received at Laurel Fork, Aug. 18, '61. 


Fitsimmons, Franc's 


' ' 




Fennerty, Thos. J. 


" 


Discharged for disability, Sept. 18, '62. 


Finlin, James 


' ' 


Discharged dishonorably at Beverly, Dec. 18, '63. 


Flannagan, Thos! 


' ' 


Deserted. 



68 



COMPANY D. 



RECOIJD f)K SERVICE. 



Galvin, Thos. 
Gillespie, Obadiah 
Hane, Cyrus M. 
Halpin, John 
Hastings, |no. W. 
Harrison, VVm. 
Hershberger, J. S. 
Hoyer, Wm. 
Hughes, Wm. L. 
Haas, Danl. D. 
Jackson, Robert 
Kearns, Patrick 
Kane, John 
Kelley Gabriel 
Little, James 
Leslie, VVm. O. 
Lehman, Joseph 
Larkins, James 
Moninger, Adam 
Messenger, Noah 
Madden, Michael 
Martin, J. W. 
Morris, Geo. W. 
Mason, Mansfield J. 
Moan, John 
Morrow,. Wm. 
Miller, Wm. 
Musgrave, Jacob 
Manning, Kobt. 
Morland, John 
McGurgen, Peter 
McMurray, Wm. B. 
McClelland, Jno. D. 
McGully, Wm. 
McMahon, Peter 
McAleer, James 
Neil, John 
Newlitte, Geo. 
Nolte, Henry 
Phillips, John 
Powell, Alonzo, J. 
Quest, James 
Rhodes, John 
Russell, Thos. 
Renforth, Franklin 
Ryan, Richard 
Reed, Thos. J 
Ray, Samuel 
Reichenacher, Geo. 
Sawer, Jacob 
Seaman, Elias F. 
Stratton, Chas. 
Soles, Augustus 
Sands, Chas. 
Stilly, John 
Stanley, W. 
Stevens, Horner 
Taylor, Thos. 
Vaughn, Patrick 
Wendel, John 
Woods, John 
Walton, Joseph 
Warnock, Edward 
Wiley, Wm. A. 



Priv. 



Deserted. 

Captured Salem raid, Dec 19, '63. Died in Ander.ionville. 

Discharged for disability, Aug. g, '61. 

Discharged for disability, Nov. 24, '61. 

r<e-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 

Died Aug. 30, '62, from w'nds rec'dat JJuU Run, Aug. 29, "62. 

Killed at Droop Mountain, Nov. 5, '63. 

Deserted. 

Discharged for disability, March 17, '62. 

In confinement at Fort Delaware. 

Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 

Wounded at Bull Run. Re-enlisted as veteran. }an 5, '64 

Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 

Deserted. 

Transferred from Company A, Aug. 31, '63. 



Discharged for disability, July, 8, '61. 
Discharged for disability, Aug. 5, '61. 

Discharged (.)cl. 11, '62, on acc'l w'luls rec'd at Allegheny Mt.,Dec. ij.'>'i . 

Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 

Transf 'd to Capt. West's Cav. Camp, Clarksb'g, July g,'6i 

Deserted. 

Deserted, 

Deserted. 

Capt'd Salem Ivaid, Dec. 19, "63. Died in Andersonvillc. 

Discharged for disability, Aug. 6, '62. 

Discharged for disability, Dec. 8, 'O2. 

Ui.sch. Apiil -7> '^3 Loss of leg in action at White Siil. Spr'g^, Au,^. 26, '6j 

I-ie-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 

Died Aug. 2S, '63, from wounds rec'd in action at Rocky f iap, Aug 26, '63 

Discharged for disability, Sept. 18, '62. 
Died April 13, 'G2, Cheat Mountain Summit 

Deserted. 

Killed at Bull Run, Aug. 29, '62. 

Wounded at Cross Keys. 



Discharged for disability, Jan. 30, '62, 
[Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 
Died Aug. 28, '03, from wounds rec'd in action at Rocky Gap. Aug 26, "63 

jDeserted 

i 

'Promoted to y. M. Sergt, Sept. i, '63. 

Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 

Died Sept. 18, '62, from w'nds rec'd at Bull Ivun, Aug. 29, '62 

30. 

Deserted. 
iDeserted. 
{Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 



Feet frozen on Salem Raid. 

i Prisoner in Libby. 

jCaptured Salem Raid, Dec. ig, '63. Died in Andersonville. 

IWounded at Bull Run. Re-enlisted as veteran,. Jan. 5, '64 




JACOB COLMER, 

SECOND LIEUTENANT. 



COMPANY HIS TOR Y. 69 

CAPIAIN THOArAS (WISSON. JK. 

Thomas Oibson, Jr., was born in Allegheny countv, Pa., the son of 
the late Colonel Thomas Gibson, surveyor of the port of Pittsburgh, 
under the Buchanan administration, and colonel of fine of the Penn- 
sylvania militia regiments. His mother's name was Totten. whose 
father was one of the pioneers in Pittsburgh of the foundry business. 
Both parents were Irish, and the son inherited the Irish courage and 
daring. Captain Cibson was a graduate of the Western University of 
Pennsylvania, at Pittsburgh, and was a gentleman of culture and ability. 

I.IKHTENANT DAVID ECKKK. 

David Ecker was a native of Easton, Pa., his parents being what is 
known as Pennsylvania Dutch. He was a private in a battery tluring 
the Mexican war, and an excellent drill master; and to him was due the 
credit of the efficiency that the company attained in skirmish drill and 
in the bayonet exercise. He resigned early in 1S62, just when the com- 
pany began to show the training he had given them. 

CAI'TAIN JOHN R. KRlSlilE. 

John R. Frisbie was a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., his father bqing 
Amos Frisbie, and his mother I':ieanor Johnston. His grandfather, 
John J. Frisbie, at one time lived in the "Old Block House" at the 
"Point," on the site afterwards occupied by old Fort Duquesne. 
CajU. Frisbie's parents died when he was a young man. and at an early 
age he was apprenticed to Messrs. Burke and Barnes, pioneer safe 
makers of Pittsburgh, and became an expert at his trade, and remained 
with the firm until about 1S59, after which he was running on the river, 
learning to be a pilot, and was in New Orleans when the secession move- 
ment began. The boat started for Pittsburgh, and was thirty-one days 
in making the trip, owing to the fre(]uent stops and detentions by the 
confederate authorities along the river. He enlisted in Captain Alex. 
Scott's company, known as the " Jlelmont Guards," which became Com- 
pany F of the Second \'irginia. He was api)ointed sergeant of the 
company, afterwards rose to be first sergeant, anil on May 20, 1S62, was 
promoted secontl lieutenant, and assigned to Company D. July 7, 1862, 
he was promoted to first lieutenant, and May i, 1864, was promoted 
captain of the company, vice Captain D. D. Barclay, who was promoted 
major of the regiment. Captain Frisbie served faithfully until mustered 
out June 16, 1S64. The cajjtain was a brave, cool and determined of- 
ficer, and in the most dangerous and trying places, displayed a coolness 
not often equaled. At the battle of Waterloo Bridge, August, 1S62, he 
was detailed with a squad of \()lunteers, to set fire to the bridge, a feat 
which he and his men accomplished under a galling fire of artillery and 
musketry, and for which he was complimented on the field b)' General 
Robert H. Milroy. The captain returned to Pittsburgh at the close of 
his term of service. 



70 COMPANY D. 

LIEUTENANT JACOH COEMER. 

Jacob Colmer was born April i, 1842, at Duff's Mills, I'ranklin town- 
ship, Allegheny county, Pa., his jiarents being natives of the state. His 
father, William Colmer. was born in Allegheny count)-. Pa., and his 
mother, Lavina Rosensteel, was born near lOnisworth, in tlie same 
county, and both were descendants of the Pennsylvania Dutch. The son 
remained at home until he was 18 years of age, working at farming and 
in the blacksmith shop with his father. On the Monday evening follow- 
ing the call of President TJncoln for 75,000 three months men, Mr. Col- 
mer placed his name as first on the roll of a company of volunteers being 
recruited by Thomas (ribson, Jr., at a place called Cross Roads, not far 
from Bakerstown, Allegheny county. After the compan\- had been 
jjartly recruited, they went to Pittsburgh, but the ipiota from Pennsylvania 
was now filled, and the company was not accepted; but they still held 
their organization, and when the call came for three years men, the\' 
were again doomed to disappointment, so many troops being ahead of 
them. They then decided to equip themselves as an independent com- 
pany, and while preparations were being made to this end, wortl was re- 
ceived that they were wanted at A\'heeling, \'a., to which place the\' 
went. Mr. Colmer was mustered into the ser\'ice as sixtli corporal, but 
on account of good conduct and attention to his duties, rose step l)y 
step until June 17, 1862, he was promoted first sergeant of the company, 
and held this position until September 29,, 1S62, when he was j)ro- 
moted to second lieutenant. On several occasions he acted as adjutant 
of the regiment, and had command of his company on the Salem Raid. 
On April 27, 1864, he was promoted to first lieutenant, and detailed to 
the position of adjutant, but declined the position, as he had beccjme so 
attached to the members of his company that he flid not wish to be 
taken away from them. He served his full term of enlistment and was 
mustered out with the company. Lieut. Colmer received what educa- 
tion he had by careful attention to studies in the four months per \ear 
schooling then in vogue in country districts, and in the summer of i860, 
took a course of bookkeeping in Duff's College, Pittsburgh. He was 
married on December 22, 186S, to Miss Mary E. Scott, of Sliaron, 
Mercer county. Pa., but a native of Allegheny county. The result of 
this marriage is a family of four bright children, the oldest, \\'illiam H., 
now in his 21st year, Alice Scott 16, Lizzie Bell 14, and Cliarles Steven- 
son 4 years old. Since the war Lieut, Colmer has served in several re- 
sponsible ijositions. For a long time he was clerk in the Pittsburgii 
jjension office; for over 12 years bookkeeper for one large firm in Alle- 
gheny City, and is now agent for the Alleghen\' Insurance Company, of 
Pittsburgh. He is now serving his i8th year as permanent secretary of 
'I'win Cit\' Lodge, No. 241, I. O. O. 1"\, also as trustee of the same 
lodge during the last 18 years. Lie also ser\ed as secretary of Alle- 
gheny Lodge 223, A. F. and A. M., for si.\ years after the close of the 




JAMES MAY 




JAMES M. ANDERSON. 



CO MP A N 3 ' HIS TOR Y. 71 

war. He now resides at A\'alon, Pa., on the P. F. ^^^ & C. Railway, 
six miles down the Ohio river from Pittsburgh. Lieut. Colmer served 
his country well and faithfullw lie was a brave and accomplished 
officer, respected as such by all the men of the regiment, and a gentle- 
man held in the highest esteem b\' all his comrades. As a citizen there 
are none truer, and he is a worth)- and honored son of the country hg 
helped so ably to protect. 

LIEUTENANT A. J. CHAMIiERS. 

A. J. Chambers was born in Allcglieny City in 1S33, and learned the 
painting trade, Init was engaged a number of years on Ohio river steam- 
ers. In April, 1S61, he enlisted as corporal in company A in Pittsburgh. 
He served very creditably in the position, was promoted to sergeant, 
then to orderly sergeant, and finally,. July 7, 1S62, his bravery and merit 
was still further recognized by a promotion to 2nd lieutenant, and he 
was then transferred to companv' I) of our regiment. After the war he 
opened up a paint shop in Allegheny and is still following the business. 
He represented liis ward in Common and Select Councils for many 
years. He was married Aug. 25, 1S53, to Miss Caroline A. Dougherty, 
and their union has jjeen blessed by seven children. 

COMPANV E. 

Most of the members of this com])any were from Ohio, ha\ing been 
recruited by Simpson HoUister, Henry G. Jackson, H. B. James and 
others, in the counties of Monroe and Belmont. A portion of it was 
recruited by B. F. Bowers, in the counties of Wetzel and Taylor, on 
the Virginia side of the river, which with a squad of seven from Ritchie 
county, Virginia, made up the requisite number for organization, which 
was effected by the election of Simi)son Hollister captain, Henry (r. 
Jackson first lieutenant, and P>. F. Bovvers second lieutenant, on the i6th 
day of June, 1S61, at Camp Carlisle. Like the other companies with 
which its fortunes v^-ei'e linked, it was made up of a great diversity of char- 
acter, including men of the professions and trades, farmers and busi- 
ness men, all animated by the same spirit of love for their country. 

^\'estern Virginia was racked and torn by the confiicts of the contend- 
ing forces of the Union and its enemies, but there was a large force of 
loyal men who i-efused to bend the knee to treason. The little squad 
referred to, may be taken as a fair a\'erage of the loyalty of that section. 
Thomas and Charles Day, Riley, Wigner, Moats, Adams and French, 
composed the little band that was the first to represent Ritchie county in 
the army for the Union. Some of them were Virginians by birth, some were 
not, but all were in the vigor of early manhood, and being loyal to the 
heart, each had cpiietl) and soberly tlecided for himself that duty re- 
quired fiom liim a prcnnpt response to his countr)'s call, notwithstand- 
ing man)' of their friends and associates held \ er)' different views, and 
decided to cast their lot with the side of rebellion. 



72 



COMPANY R. 



The sentiment for and against the union cause being pretty equally 
divided in that ]-egion at that time, it was not considered the most 
healthy thing for either party, to be very demonstrative; so in pursuance 
of a quiet arrangement, the squad met at Ellenboro station on the even- 
ing of June 14, 1 86 1, each with his little package in hand, ready when 
the shadows grew long, to start on their first niglU's march to the CJhio 
river. The march of 16 miles to St. Marys was made without incitlent 
worthy of note. The packet Woodside landed the squad at Wheeling, 
on the morning of the i6th, and they were met by their future captain 
and I St lieutenant, and before noon were mustered into the service of 
their country. 

In a short time afterward, this company and four others, were ordered 
to Clarksburg, where their actual duties as soldiers began. In a short 
time the movement on Rich Mountain was made, in which engagement 
a part of this little force took part, and then they proceeded to Ijcverly, 
where the company was assigned as companv V. of the regiment. 

The following is the muster out roll, showing list of members and 
their record. The company was mustered into the United States service 
June 16, 1 86 1, and mustered out June 16, 1864. All the members not 
otherwise marked, were mustered out with the comi)any. The recruits 
and veterans were transferred to the Sixth ^Vest Virginia Cavalry, 
when the company was mustered out. 



RECOKD OF SERVICE. 



S. Hollister 
Thomas E. Da)- 
H. G. Jackson 
H. B. James 
Charles H. Day 
John C. French 
B. F. Bowers 
Jas. B. Smith 
R. H. Wigner 
Jos. Riley 
D. Danford 
John Johnson 
John H. Caton 
John Fowler 
George F. Dillon 
Henry Deut 
William R. Morris 
Jas. W. llmstead 
A. Y. Montgomery 
M. E. Moore 
William \\. Foulke 
A. McElroy 
Isaac S. Rice 
Samuel K. Reamer 
William T.Bradford 
John W. A. Lilly 
Ambler, Samuel M. 
Adams, Robert M 
Akers, Thomas J. 
Bear, James 



Capt. 
istLt 

2d Lt 
istSg 



Corp 



Resigned Dec. i, 'G2. 

I'ro. from sergeant, Dec. 10, '62. 



Wounded at Bull Run. 




Resigned Dec. 10, '61. 

Promoted from private Jan. 13, '63. 

Wounded at Bidl Run Aug. 29, '63. 



Wounded at Rocky Gap Aug. 2G, '63. 
Wounded at Bull Run Aug. 29, '62. 

Wounded at Waterloo Bridge Aug. 25, '62. 



'• VVouiidecl at Hull Run .mil Rncky G.'ip. Captured iJied at JJanville. 

Discharged for disability, Oct. g, '61. 
"I " " ■' Feb. 2S, 'G2. 

"I " " " Jan. I'i, '63. 

Mus. " ■' " Feb. 28, 'G2. 

Priv. I iJischaiged Nov. 27, '6j, on accoinit of wounds received at TuU Run. 

Killed at Bull Run, Aug. 29, '62. 
JKilled at Droop Mountain, No\'. G, '63. 



COMPANY HISTORY, 



73 



lieatty, James 
Bushkirk, S. A. 
Butcher, Geo. S. 
Beach, George 
Blair, James 
Castillow, D. 
Castillow, George 
Cox, William I." 
Clark, William 
Ciitlip William 
Conley, Christian 
Clark, Sanford 
Cox, Jacot) W'. 
Dent, George 
Dearth, George 
Dunn, Israel 
Davis, Asbury S. 
Freeman, Isaac 
Frankhouser, J. C. 
Fordice, James 
Gaver, Ed. 
Garring, Henry 
Garrison, Jas. F. 
Givens, Jasper N. 
Garroll, William 
Hill, Felix M. 
Hudson, S. L. D. 
Hess, John 
Hall, Klijah 
Hesselton, And. G. 
Jones, Samuel W. 
Kelch, K. D. 
Kirkland, D. 
Kay, James M. 
Lohmire, M. L. 
Moore, Marion 
Meredith, Robert C. 
Moffitt, William A. 
Moats, Andrew- 
Miller, William A. 
Martin, Calvin B. 
Moore, Peter D. 
Messerley, William 
Murphy, John 
Moore, Moses 
McClary, Thos. D. 
McGee, George H. 
McDougall, John 
Pitts, Elijah 
Pugh, Samuel B. 
Pittman, Cornelius 
Rush, Morgan 
Robinson, Jas. A. 
Reader, John 
Reader, Martin 
Roberts, Leonard 
Ritchie, Jacob 
Schoonover, John 
Spencer, S. R. 
Smith, S. B. 
Smith, Jacob 
Sharp, J ere 
Sole, Wm 



Priv. 



RECORD OF SERVICE. 



Killed at New Creek. 

Captured at Seneca Sept. 25, '63. Died in prison- 
Killed at Bull Run Aug. 29, '62 
Deserted Juno 4, '63. 
Dec. 5, '62. 
Missing at Winchester Jan. '64, 



Re-enlisted as Veteran Jan. 5, '64. 

Captured at Winchester Jan. '64. Died in Andersonville, 

Di'ichargeU Oct. 2y. '62. on account of wounds received at Bull Run 

Discharged for disability Sept. i, '62 
Killed at Bull Run, Aug. 29, '62. 
Wounded Droop Mt. 



Killed at Rocky Gap Aug. 26, 'G3. 



Wounded Bull Run. Re-enlisted as a Veteran Jan. 5, '64. 

Captured at Bull Run. 

Re-enlistedasa veteran Jan. 5, '64. Killed New Creek Nov. '64. 

Dishonorably discharged May 27, '63. 

Died Nov. 24, '63, fnjm wounds received at Droop Mountain. 

Wounded Droop Mt. 

Killed Rocky Gap Aug. 26, '63. 

Killed at Bull Run Aug. 29, '62. 

Died at Beverly Dec. 9, '61, of typhoid fever. 

Discharged Sept. 2.(, '63, from wounds received at l!ull Run. 

Wounded Bull Run. 
Captured on Salem Raid. 



Wounded at Bull Run Aug. 29, '62. 

Re-enlisted as a Veteran Jan. 5, '64. 

Captured Rocky Gap Aug. 26, '63. Died at Andersonville. 

Captured Seneca Sept. 29, '63. 

Discharged for disability Nov. 10, '62. 

Killed at Droop Mountain Nov. 6, '63. 

Re-enlisted after time was out in 6th W. V'a. Inf. Wounded at Winchester, 

Va. Died in prison. 
Recruit March 24, '62. 
Discharged for disability Sept. 8, 'O2. 



Re-enlisted as Veteran Jan. 5, '64. 

Wounded at l!ull R\ui, Aug. 29, '62 and Rocky Gap Aug. 26, '63. 

Re-enlisted as Veteran Jan. 5, '64. Died. 



Killed at Bull Run Aug. 29 '62 
Captured at Bull Run. 



Recruit, Dec. 25, '62. 

Recruit, July 5, '6;. Died of wounds received at Rocky Gap. 



74 



COMPANY E. 



NAMES. 


RANK. 


RECORD OF SERVICE. 




Stonebreaker, J. W. 


Priv. 


Wounded at Elk water, 'Oi. Re-enlisted a.-, veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 




Schaiib, Fred 


" 


Wimnded and captured at Rocky Gap. Died In Andersunv iile. 




Smith, Thos. 


, , 


Killed at Bull Run, Aug. 29, '62. 




Sponholtz, Aug. 




Died Mar. 10, '63, at Beverly, of er3'sipelas. 




Taylor, McKnight 


•■ 


Wounded at Bull Run. Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan 5. 


'64 


Tillet, Thos. B. 




Discharged for disability, Oct. 8, '62. 




Ta) lor, John C. 




Deserted July 30, '61 




Williams, Jas. L. 








White, H 




Wounded at Rocky Gap 




Waters, Levi 








Wilson, Jasper 








Webb, John D. 








Williams, John 




Discharged for disability Nov. i, 'G2. 




Yonking, Jackson 




Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 





CAPTAIN SIMPSON HOLLISTER. 

Simpson Hollister, the first captain of the company, was a native of 
Monroe county, Ohio, and was main]\- instrumental in recruiting the 
company. At the breaking out of the war, he was a member of the 
Woodsfield bar, and was a delegate to the Chicago convention that 
nominated Abraham Lincoln for president. Capt. Hollister was a large 
hearted man, and had his physical condition been good, he could ha\e 
distinguished himself in the service; but he soon discovered that he was 
unfit for active campaigning, and after spending some time in the re- 
cruiting service, he, from a sense of duty, resigned his commission and 
returned to civil life. His present home is in Leavenworth, Kas. 

CAPTAIN THOMAS E. DAV. 

In 1861 when the call was made for three years volunteers, Thos. E. Day 
was a member of the bar at Ritchie C. H., \'a. He was a widower 
at the time with two very interesting little boys, to whom he was very 
strongly attached; but notwithstanding his surroundings were not of the 
most favorable character, he was a union man from principle, and lea\'- 
ing one of his little treasures with his deceased wife's jjarents and the 
other with his father and mother, who then resided at Ritchie C. H., he 
became one, and rather the acknowledged leader, of the squad of se\en 
who were the first to represent Ritchie Co. in the I'nion service. 

When the squad was enlisted and formed a part of the organization, 
known afterward in the regiment as Co. K, I'hos. ]'. Day was the only 
one who received any recognition beyond that of a prixate soldier, 
and he was appointed 3rd sergeant. When H. G. Jackson was made 
adjutant, Orderly Sergeant James was commissioned first lieutenant in 
his place and Sergeant Day was made orderly sergeant, and on the 
resignation of Lieut. Bower who left the Co. to take a position in John- 
ton's Battery, Sergeant Day was commissioned second lieutenant in Jan. 
1862. Early in the morning of the first day's fight at the Second Bull 
Run battle, Lieut. James was killed while in command of the Co., .Capt. 
Hollister being absent on recruiting service, anil Lieut. Day assumed com- 



COMPANY HISTORY. 75 

mand, but in less than ten minutes received a severe wovjnd in the left 
arm which disabled him for some time. Having beeri commissioned 
first lieutenant, he joined the regiment at Wheeling, when (len. Alilroy'g 
brigad(,^ was transferred from the army of the Potomap, to the Greaf 
Kanawha valley, in Sept. tS6-. Capt. HoUister, resigned the captaincy 
late in the fall of 1862, and Lieut. Day was commissioned to fill the vacancy 
which he did to the end of our tliree years' term, with great accei)tance 
to those under his commanil and with credit to liimself. 

Cai)t. Day was a true soldier, and v\hilc at times his methods of dis- 
cipline a]:)peared harsli, and to one who was not well accpiainted with him 
seemed cold and austere, yet he had a kind heart and was true to 
his friends and his country's cause. His present home is Mexico, Au- 
drain county, Mo. 

I.IEU'IENANT tIF.NRV G. JACKSON. 

Henry G. Jackson was a native of the city of Philadelphia. Pa., and 
having been a soldier in the Mexican war, possessed more knowledge of 
military affairs than most of his fellow officers of the line, so upon the 
organization of the regiment, he was made its first adjutant. He was 
one of the first officers to resign from his position in the regiment, and 
accepted a captaincy in the 62(1 Ohio. In this capacity he served for 
some time, but on account of his failing health, resigned and returned 
to his native city. 

LIEUTENANT W. V.. JAMES. 

Hamilton B. James was a native of Pjelmont county, was a carpenter 
by trade, but at the outbreak of the war, was a clerk in the business 
house of Hutchinson & Bro., Beallsville, Ohio, and Justice of the 
Peace. He was chosen as first sergeant of the company, and served as 
such until the promotion of Jackson, when he was commissioned first 
lieutenant, and for a considerable time had command of the company. 
Lieut. James was a cpiiet, unassuming gentleman, e\'er faithful in the 
discharge of duty, and specially interested in the welfare of the men 
under his command. He was the first man killed in the company at 
the second battle of Bull Run, August 29, 1862. 

LIEU'rENANT CHARLES IL DAW 

Charles LI. Day was born in New Market, Frederick county, Md., 
December 25, 1838; attended public school until he was 14 years of 
age, after which he learned the printing business, and worked at it until 
shortly before entering the war as a private in Comijany K. After act- 
ing as adjutant for a time during the sitring and summer of 1862, he was 
commissioned second lieutenant and assigned to Company H; was pro- 
moted to first lieutenant, September 1, 1S62; served as A. A. General 
of the brigade during the fall and next spring, and as Judge Advocate of 
General C. M. during the following summer: he was transferred from 
Companif H to K; thence to Company F; thence to Company I, where 
he was serving at the battle of Droop Mountain, being wounded in the 



76 COMPANY E. 

battle; was mustered out March 9, 1864, by orders from the War De- 
partment, havinif been oft' duty more than three months from wounds 
recei\ed in battle. Re-entered the service as first lieutenant and adju- 
tant to organize the 17th Regiment West A'irginia Infantry, ^ August 
13, 1864; was promoted to major, September 10, 1864, and to colonel, 
March 13, rS65, being mustered out June 30, 1865. Since then lie has 
li\ed in \Vest \'irginia and Missouri, and is now on a farm at Occoquan, 
Prince AN'illiam counlw \'a., where he has lived since 1872. 

l.IKU rKNAN r J. C. FKKXCIl. 

J. ("al\ in French is the youngest son of (ieorge M. and Mar) Porter 
French, and was born in Wasliington county. Pa., October 10, 1836. 
Flis mother died when he was less than three years old, and much of 
his early childhood was spent with relatives in hayette county, I*a. At 
the age of 12 he returned to his father's home, remained (our years, and 
then became an inmate of the family of Wm. Findl\ . lie was a lnj\ of 
all work in the summer and attended school in the winter, but was 
denied the privilege of a thorough education, which he so much desired. 
At the age of 19 he accepted a position in the house of R. Porter, at 
Ritchie C". H., Va. After one year's service here, he associated with 
three other persons in the hoo]) and sta\e trade, on the P. >S: ( ). Iv. R., 
at jjoints east of Parkersburg. This compan)' erected the first estab- 
lishment for the manufacture of oil barrels in that region, aftei" the de- 
velojjment of the Kanawha field. The war destro\ed the business of 
the com])any and caused heavy financial losses. In closing up the 
affairs oi the compan\', Lieut French found himself ]>ossessed of little 
else save good health and a determination to contribute himself to the 
cause of the union. Seeking an interview with persons like-minded, an 
arrangement was made b\' which he became one of the seven who first 
represented Ritchie count}' in the arm\- of the union, mentioned in full 
in the history of Company E. After serving as jjrivate, sergeant and 
orderly sergeant, and ha\ing been left in command of the company at 
Second Bull Run, one of the commissioned officers present being killed and 
the other wounded, he was commissioned second lieutenant September 9, 
1S62, and assigned to Company H; then commissioned first lieutenant 
and assigned to Company E, December 3, 1862. He was assigned to 
the command of Company B for a short time, while that company was 
on duty at Bealington. While in command of a jKjrtion (jf the skirmish 
line in advance of the artillery, at the battle of Rocky (rap, he received 
a severe wound near the left knee, which distorted the joint and has 
measurably disabled him ever since. Having been rescued b)- com- 
rades from falling into the hands of the enemy, and conveyed b\- ambu- 
lance to Beverly, he was there kindly sheltered and cared for by Mrs. 
Jonathan Arnold. When recovered, he returned to his regiment and 
Avas commissioned adjutant, and served as such until the regiment was 
disbanded, but chose to be mustered out with what remained of his 




JOHN C. FRENCH, 

FIRST LIEUTENANT. 




JAMES B SMITH. 



SECOND LIEUTENANT. 



CO MP A N Y HIS rOR Y. 77 

company. \\\ Aii.^ust, 1S64 he returned to Washington county, Pa., and 
on September 7th, that year, was married to Miss Sevilla Vaile, in ful- 
fdlment of an engagement made in early life. He engaged in merchan- 
dizing, was elected Treasurer of the county in 1873, and on the expira- 
tion of his term returned to his home in Prosperity, where he has since 
been engaged in farming. He and family are members of the Presby- 
terian Church of Upper Ten Mile, and is commander of Luther Day 
Post, No. 395, G. A. R. Four children have been added to his happy 
home, Dr. lulward E., of Bentleysville, Pa., Leah Mary, wife of Dr. 
Booth, Bentleysville, Charles Clinton, who died in infancy, and J. Cal- 
vin, Jr., who is acquiring an education. There was no braver officer in 
the regiment, and Lieut. French deserves special mention for his gallant 
conduct at the second battle of Bull Run, and for his splendid leader- 
ship in the extreme advance, in the dash where he was wounded at 
Rocky ( laj). 

LiKU'i'. 1;. r. liowr:!-;. 
H. F. liower was a ycuing man about ready to be admitted to the bar 
in New Martinsville, Wetzel county, Va., in the s])ring of i,S6i. When 
the effort was made to organize a three years' regiment from the loyal 
element in \Mrginia, he set to work to recruit a comjjany in ^Vetzel and 
Tyler counties, but he found the work somewhat difficult, and finally 
with about twenty men from the Virginia side of the river, he united 
with Hollister and Jackson from the Ohio side, and with a few from other 
quarters, had the required number to form a full company, which accord- 
ing to date of organization was lettered IC, and he was commissioned its 
first second lieutenant. Lieut. Bower only remained with the regiment 
a short time, but it is but due to him to say that having been overstep- 
ped in the way of promotions he tlid what any spirited officer would 
have done, viz resign, and take a position elsewhere, which he did in 
Johnston's battery of light artillery where his worth was more appre- 
ciated. Lieut. Bower is now enjoying a fair practice in his profession 
at the New Martinsville bar. 

LIEUTENANT JAMES H. SMITH. 

James 1!. Smith, a student of Nineteen Summers, left his home in 
Tyler county, Va. , and found his way to Wheeling, in time to enlist in 
Company F. On account of his youth, size, and bright and cheerful 
expression of countenance, he was one to attract attention, so that when 
the Ritcliie s<|uad was instructed to select one to increase their numbei 
from seven to a mess of eight, Smith was looked after, when the situa 
tion was explained to him, and he at once consented to join the mess 
and ever afterward v/as identified with the Ritchie squad. His service 
as a private soldier, was marked for coolness, vigilance and courage. 
At the Second Bull Run battle in 1862, when Colonel Latham called for 
volunteers, one from each coiiipany, to reconnoiter in front of our lines 
his lithe form was the first to the front from the company, and among 



78 COMPANY E. 

the first of the rci^iiiicnt to return and make an intelliL;ent report of the 
situation. In November, 1862, he was made "a non-commissioned of- 
ficer, and on March 27, 1863, he was commissioned a second lieutenant, 
Company E at this time being about the only one in the dei)leted regiment 
that had three commissioned officers. Lieut. vSmilh was frequently de- 
tailed on special duty. On one occasion he was ordered by (leneral 
Averell to take an escort of three men from the camp at Martinsburg, 
and reconnoiter the enemy's j^osition at Winchester. Taking with him 
Anderson of C'omi)any 11, C'astillow and Cutlip of Company E, he pro- 
ceeded to Bunker Hill, a distance of twelve miles, where he remain-ed 
until after midnight, when he advanced to a high point overlooking 
Winchester; here the enemy had a picket of five infantry soldiers, whom 
Lieut. Smith surprised and captured after a little skirmish, gaining 
valuable information from the prisoners, and also finding himself almost 
in the presence of a large force of the enemw Me left the main road, 
not only to bring the prisoners into camp, but to apprise our cavalry 
out post of the advance of a superior force of the enemy. The pri- 
soners were given in charge of two of the men while the lieutenant with 
Cutlip alone undertook to reach the picket post by a country road; this 
arrangement had hardly been uunle when the lieutenant was halted, and 
■a dialogue ensued; it was a very dark morning and when the order came 
from the enemy to advance, the opportunity was made use of to turn 
and regain the pike, which was done and the two men and i)risoners 
were overtaken and were joined by a small patrol of Pennsylvania Cav- 
alry. The enemy came on with a dash, and all were in a confused 
mass amitl timber and darkness, the prisoners were lost and the three 
men who had done their part so nobly were carried away by the rush. 
Lieut. Smith concealed his identity by joining with the enemy in the 
darkness, until an opportunity was offered to elude them by the road- 
side, and the force of the enemy turned back and he was left alone. 
On returning to the outpost alone, and telling his strange experience to 
the captain commanding, he was regarded with suspicion by that officer, 
and the question of his being a spy was strongly hinted at; but fortunate- 
ly at this juncture Maj. Tom. Cibson of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania 
Cavalry came upon the scene with a detachment from his regiment, and 
settled all questions of identity. 

In March, 1864, Lieut. Smith was appointed an acting assistant signal 
officer in Department of West Virginia, in which capacity he served 
until May 13th, 1864, when he and his whole signal corps were taken 
prisoners by Mosby's Rangers. He was treated with some indignity 
on account of his being a native \'irginian, was taken first to Orange C. 
LL, from thence to Cordonsville, J-ynchburg and Danville, Va., and in 
June, 1S64, was sent to Macon, (ia., where he was associated with 
about one thousand federal officers. While thus incarcerated in this 
prison pen, his experience was not different in many respects from that 



COM PA N Y HIS TOR Y. 79 

of his fellows. Most of the time was spent in ilevising plans how they 
might escape. To relieve the monotony a little hilarity was indulged 
in, when new recruits were ushered into their dismal prison abode. It 
was usually knowi; when new prisoners were about to be brought in, and 
two irregular lines would be formed and the new prisoners were ex- 
pected to pass between these lines, while a perfect din of shouts would 
go up in chorus: "Fresh fish: Fresh fish! Uon't take his shirt 1 
Leave his haversack," etc. When Lieut. Smith had passed about half 
way between the two lines, a well-known voice and hearty grasp of the 
hand caused him to forget all else, as he recognized the tall form and 
pleasant countenance of that prince of scouts, Charley Smitley, of Com 
pany B. About August ist Lieut. Smith, and about 600 others, were 
loaded into box cars and started for Charleston, S. C. About 70 of 
the number escaped from the train while in transit. Lieut. Smith and 
two others jumped from the cars at Pocotalgo bridge, and secreted 
themselves in a swamp. After hiding by day and travelling by night 
for three days, they ventured to the road to consult a finger board, when 
they were suddenly surprised and recaptured, and forced, half starved, 
to complete the journey to Charleston, at which i)lace they were placed 
under fire of the federal guns while the city was being bombarded, but 
while thus placed in the jail yard, the ''swamp angels" used against the 
city did them but little harm. In October, 1S64, Lieut. Smith, together 
with a large number of officers, was taken to Columbia, S. C, from 
which ])lacc, November 29th, about 50, through bribery and strategem, 
effected an escape. ( )nce out of prison they divided into small squads 
of from three to five and took different directions, some for east Ten- 
nessee, others for Sherman's army, while Lieut. Smith and three others 
undertook to make their way to the coast. After untold privations and 
narrow escapes from recapture, on the 12th of December, the squad ar- 
rived at the coast near McClellansville, where an artillery company had 
been stationed, but had just left to join Hood's army. All boats had 
been scuttled to prevent the colored people from escaping. With some 
difficulty the squad repaired an old life boat, in which they managed to 
reach a deserted light house, five miles from the main land, called Cape 
Roman, two of the squad rowing, one steering and the fourth one kept 
busy bailing out the water with a broken jug. Here they hoped to be 
able to attract the attention of some passing vessel, but while many 
were in sight at different times, they failed, and at the end of three days, 
having no provisions, and failing to catch a cat, which would have been 
eagerly devoured, nothing was left them to do but return to the main 
land, which was done after drifting five miles to the northward. Here 
a new trouble met them. They had been seen by some of the servants, 
who took them for rebel deserters, and had so reported them. Fortun- 
ately, however, the old planter, who met them on their landing and ac- 
cused them of deserting, was rather easily beguiled by plausible stories 



8o COAfPANY E. 

and they were let go without being further reported. A faithful colored 
man was finally secured, who ferried them across both Santee rivers, 
and through rice swamps to Alligator channel, Inil the bridge that liad 
connected the main lantl with the island had been destroyed, so that a 
rude raft was constructed on which they placed their clothes, and pushing 
it before them they swam to the island. Not taking time to dress, each 
one took his clothes under his arms and ran about two miles across the 
island in time to signal a gunboat before it had got beyond reach. No 
language can describe the feelings of joy of tlie half naked and almost 
famished boys as they noticed the gunboat pull for them, and when 
taken on board to receive kind greetings from the jolly sailor boys. 

After Lieut. Smith's escape he returned to Washington, I). C. His 
regiment having been mustered out, except that jiortion that had re- 
enlisted as veterans, Lieut. Smith was offered and accepted a captaincy 
in the Sixth W. Va. Cavalry, and received the following complimentary 
letter from his old commander: 

Bath, New York, 12th Feb. 1S65. 
To Maj. Gen. Geo. Crook, Commanding Dep't of West Va: 

General: — I have the honor to recommend Capt. James B. Smith, 
Sixth W. Va. Cavalry, as a brave, skillful, and enterprising officer. He 
formerly belonged to the Fifth W. Va. Cavalry, distinguished himself at 
Droop Mountain, and afterward at Martinsburg. He has been a pri- 
soner of war since the opening of the summer campaign until the 15th 
of December, 1864, when he escaped from the enemy at C'olumbia, S. 
C. The men of his company are ])rincipally veterans, and, I believe, 
will do good service as cavalry. I am General. 

Very Respectfully, your obedient servant, 

Wm. W. Averill, Bv't. Maj. General. 

Capt. Smith went with General Crook's command to the Northwest, 
and took an active part in the operations of that general's forces in his 
campaigns against the Indians. The service becoming monotonous and 
the captain having served his country nearly five years, and having seen 
service in all its phases, he returned to civil life in his native county, and 
has since for the most part been engaged in merchandising. 

Capt. Smith was married Aug. 19, 1868, to Miss Martha J. Langfitt, 
of Eagle Mills, W. Va. Three childreen adorn his home, viz: Sidney 
A., Ida L. and Silas M. Smith. The captain and all his family are 
members of the Christian church. 

M. E. MCJORE. 

M. E. Moore, private of Company E, and one of the veterans f)f the 
company, was captured at Greenbrier river, on the return from Cloyd 
Mt; was in Staunton hospital three months, and had charge of thirteen 
wounded Union soldiers, during which he saw both the union and con- 
federate armies pass through the city. He was started for Anderson- 
ville, but having a sore hand and arm, he applied bandages, and when 
the surgeon examined him he was sent to Richmond, and was exchanged 
from there. He claimed to have been wounded at Piedmont, which 



COMPANY HISTORY. 



with his sores, saved him a stay at Andersonville. He was discharged 
at Wheeling, W. Va., May 30, 1S66, and lacked only a few days of 
having served five years. It was the service of a veteran. 

COMPANY F. 

I'his company was enlisted in Pittsburgh, Pa., by Alexander Scott, 
John A. Hunter, Douglass (). Smythe and others, but it has not been 
l^ossible after an earnest effort, to learn any of the tletails of the organi- 
zation of the company. 

The following is the muster out roll, showing list of members and 
tlieir record. The company was mustered into the U. S. service June 
24, 1 86 1, and was mustered out June 30, 1864. All the members not 
otherwise marked, were mustered out with the company. The recruits 
and veterans were transferred to the Sixth W. Va. Cavalry, when the 
company was mustered out. 



Alexander Scott 
Henry C. Flesher 
Thos. B. Smith 
John A. Hunter 
Chas. H. Day 
Douglass G. Smythe 
Wm. Schmolze 
Wm. Broughson 
Joseph Black 
Wm. Wyble 
Chas. Kirchaffer 
Peter Krouse 
Jno. C. Devlin 
Isaiah Stephenson 
Wm. W. Carney 
Henry Burns 
W. H. Silver 
Jno. R. Frisbie 
Joseph Massy 
John Peppard 
Geo. Mclntyre 
Jas. Stewart 
Jno. Murry 
Ambrose J. Bing 
Anderson, Jas. M. 
Burke, Michael 
Brecker, Francis 
Barry, Edward H. 
Bannon, Frank 
Co.x, John 
Campbell, Archib'ld 
Carrigher, Richard 
Culp, John 
Chadderson, C. 
Carney, Owen 
Cain, Bernard 
Cassidy, I'eter 
Daniels, John 
Drury, Samuel 
Delaney, Luke 
Davis, William 



Capt. 

istLt 
2d Lt 
Sergt 



Corp 



Priv. 



RECORD OF SERVICE. 



Promoted to lieutenant colonel, May 20, 1862. 

Pro. from ist Lt, Co. H, May 2o,'62. Pro. to Maj.,Nov.9,'62. 

Promoted from Sergeant. Wounded at second Bull Run. 

March 20, '62. 

'62. Transferred to Co. I, M.iy 24, 'i-^. 



Promoted Captain Co. A, 

Transferred from Co. E, Nov. g, 

Resigned June 17, '62. 
Promoted from ist Sergt.. 



Co. D, July 2. '62. 



Captured at Ivocky Gap, Aug. 26, '63. 



I'ie-enlisted Jan. 5, '64. 

Discharged for wounds received in action Nov. 6, '62 

Deserted Aug. 25, '62. 

Killed in action at Rocky Gap, Aug. 27, 63. 

Died at Pittsburgh. Feb. 24, '64, from effects of a fall. 

Promoted sergeant major, Aug. i, '61. 

Promoted 2d Lieut, Co. D, May 20, '62. 



Died, Jan. 10, '62, from w'nd.s rec'd in action at Camp Allegheny, Dec, '61. 
Killed in action at Bull Run, Aug. 29, 62. 
Died, Feb. 2, '64, of disease contracted while a prisoner. 
Deserted May 11, '63. 



Re-enlisted Jan. 5, '64. 

Died at Cheat Mountain, Jan. 29, '62, disease of the lungs. 



Discharged for disability, Aug. 2, '62. 

Died at Beverly Aug. 27, '61. 

Killed in action at Bull Run Aug. 29, '62. 

Ive-enlisted Jan. 5, '64. 

Deserted May 8, '64, 

March 5. '63, 



COMPAXY F. 



Dunn, Alexander 
Fanzel, Matthew 
Ferguson, K^ichard 
Frana, Michael 
Finnin, James 
Gilland, John W. 
Grant, John 
Gapney, Lawrence 
Gay, James 
Gardner, J as. A. 
Glass, James 
Henry, J as. R. 
Hilsdon, George 
Hillary, I'atrick 
Harle, John 
Harden, John 
Huntzeker, Marsh. 
Hall, Joseph 
Jones, George V. 
Kane, Edward 
Lourey, Francis 
Lewis, Thomas 
Loughran, Michael 
Miller, Jacob 
Main, Charles 
Matthews, William 
Mitchell, John 
McGiU, Henry 
McKeefer, Thos. 
McClay, George 
McDermott, John 
McCormick, Robt. 
McMasters, L. 
McLain, James 
McCay, Daniel 
Nevergold, Frank 
Otterson, John 
T'anner, I'hilip 
Quinn, John 
Quillian, John 
Roberts, Charles M. 
Richardson, Thos.B 
Robinson, Jas. B. 
Snyder, George W. 
Shedden, John 
Sheets, John 
Story, William H. 
Slaven, Daniel 
Short, Leander 
Smith, Hugh 
Sterling, Robert 
Shine, Patrick 
Stevens, Thomas 
Toner, Barney 
Walters, Martin 
Werner, John 
White, John W. 
Walters, John 
Ward, Henry D. 
Walton, Henry 
Watts, Samuel 
Zimmerman, Chas. 
Zimmer, John J. 



KECOKD OF SERVICE. 



Priv. Killed in action at Bull Run Aug. 29, '62. 



Re-enlisted Jan. 5, '64. 

Deserted February 23, '63 

Killed in action at Waterloo Bridge Aug 

Died March iS, '64. 



25. '62 



Discharged April 10, '63. 
IDeserted April 12, '62. 



Deserted July 9, '61. 
iDied March i, '64, of disease contracted while a prisoner 



Discharged for disability Oct. 19, '6; 



Captured at Rocky Gap Aug, 26, '63 Died in Andersonville. 

Re-enlisted Jan. 5, '64. 

Deserted March 29, '62. 

Died April 27, '64, at Parkersburg. 

Deserted Oct. i, '62. 



Re-enlisted Jan 5, '64 



Captured at Rocky Gap Aug. 26, '63, Died in Andersonville 

Discharged for disability, Feb. 22, '63. 

Deserted Aug. 28, '62. 

Died at Beverly Aug. 20, '61. 



Re-enlisted Jan. 5, '64. 
Deserted July 9, '61. 

March 23, '62. 
5. '63- 



COMPANY HISTORY. 8;^ 

CAPTAIN THO.MAS 1!. SMITM. 

I'homas K. Smith is a native of Pennsylvania, being born in Pitts- 
burgh. He assisted in raising the "Belmont Guards" in May, iS6i, 
and accompanied them to Wheeling, where the company was mustered 
into the U. S. service. He was mustered in as first sergeant of the 
company, and was promoted to second lieutenant, thence to first lieuten- 
ant, and on the 26th of November, 1862. was commissioned captain of 
his companv. C'a])tain Smith was a good officer, and was badly wounded 
at the second battle of Pull Run, while rallying his men under the severe 
fire of the enemy, which rendered him unfit for duty for a \ong time. 
His career after the war is not known. 

LIEU'l-KXAXT D. G. SMVTIIE. 

D. (;. Smythe is a native of Pittsburgh, Pa. He received a com- 
mon school education, but by diligent study and research, he acfpured 
a good knowledge of history and languages, that was of great value to 
him in after life. He adopted the theatrical profession and played en- 
gagements in all of the principal cities in this country, and was a mem- 
ber of the Pittsburgh Stock company at the breaking out of the war, and 
announced the fall of Sumpter to the audience when that event occur- 
red. He at once began to procure enlistments for the army, and in con- 
nection with Capt. Alex. Scott and Lieutenant John A. Hunter, re- 
cruited the Belmont Guards, Mr. Smythe being commissioned second 
lieutenant. He served with his company in the battles of Allegheny Mt., 
Huntersville, and Cross Keys, and in a number of skirmishes. He 
was correspondent for the Pittsburgh Dispatch, writing under the iioin 
dc plume of "Horatio," giving an accurate description of men and sur- 
rountlings, which was very readable to the men, and highly appreciated 
by the proprietors of the paper. He resigned his commission at Mount 
Jackson, Va.. on account of ill health, brought on by exposure during 
the Huntersville raid. He then visited the southern country for the 
benefit of his health, and while at Natchez, ^Nliss., was a])pointed 
United States Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue, filling this posi- 
tion for three years. He is now a clerk in the transfer depot of the 
Pennsylvania Railroad, at Pittsburgh, Pa. 

COMPANY G. 

This company was raised in Pittsburgh, Pa., by Chatham T. Ewing, 
J. D. Owens, H. A. Evans and others, and was composed of residents of 
Allegheny and surrounding counties of Pennsylvania, and a few from 
Wheeling, Va., bearing the nanie of the ••Plunimer Guards." John D. 
Owens was elected captain and Chatham T. lowing first lieutenant, and 
the com])any began to drill. 'Hie organization was completed fully on 
the 15th of May. Joseph Plummer, at the time a prominent shoe dealer 
on Wood street, in return for the honor of having the company named 
after him, bought uniforms for the men, consisting of a suit of grey 
cloth pants, and jackets trimmed with black, very neat and pretty. 



S4 CO^^rPANV G. 

The ([uota of Pennsyh'ania being full, (low ('uriin (lecliiied u^ accept 
the company, and the men chafetl under their inability to get to tlic 
seat of war. At this time the confederates were becoming active in 
Western \Mrginia, and Major Oakes. at Wheeling, came to Pittsburgli to 
get some troops. I'he Pluramer (iuards at once accepted service, going 
to Wheeling on the steamer John 1\ McCombs, making their first 
"camp" on the steamboat Courier, and afterward in Camp C'arlisle. 
They were mustered into the United States service by ("apt. (>aig, with 
the following officers: C'aptain, ('hatham T. Ewing; first lieutenant, 
Alfred Sickman; second lieutenant, Jacob C. Huggins, Cai)t. }. I). 
Owens being appointed major of the regiment of which this companv was 
to be a part. 

^Vhile on the Island, a detail was made from the company, to go to 
Bethany and get some arms, that were in possession of the military com- 
pany formed from among the students at the college there, who were 
nearly all from the south, and in symjjathy witli that section. The detail 
consisted of twenty-five men under command of U. S. Afarshal Norton, 
and Sergeant Rook and C'orporal Evans. They went to Bethany in 
omnibuses, reaching tliere at midnight, surprising and capturing the 
place, and securing the guns. On the way back to camp, they slopjjed 
for supper at West Liberty, where they received an ovation, the citizens 
meeting them with a brass band, and welcomed tlieni lo tlie town. They 
reached AVheeling in the niglit, waking up Oovernor I'ierpont, who made 
the boys a speech, and told the marshal to take them to a hotel for their 
breakfast. 

C'amp Carlisle continued to be their headquarters until July 5th, when 
the company proceeded to Crafton, thence to Webster, relieving 
Ca])t. Tyler Co. C. Fifteenth Ohio. 

From Webster the company went to Laurel Hill, tlience back to 
Webster, and Grafton, thence to Oakland, Md., thence to the "Red 
House," trying to interce])t the retreating enemy after the battle of Car- 
rick's Ford. They double cjuicked for seven miles, the Twentieth Ohio, 
Colonel Morton, being close to the company, the most of the time, and 
captured a few of the gentlemen from the south. Major Walcott of 
Ceneral Hill's staff, ordered the command to halt, when the general 
made a speech, ending with proposing three cheers for the star spangled 
banner, which were weakly given b\- the disgusted men, who were then 
ordered to retreat. The company then went back to the "Red House," 
thence to Oakland and New Creek, returning to Crafton, thence to 
Clarksburg, and by way of IJuckhannon went to Beverly, where they 
met the rest of the companies of the regiment lo which they were to be 
attached, and became C"omi)any (i. 

The following is the muster out roll, showing list of members and 
their record. The company was mustered into the LI. S. service June 
13, 1861, and mustered out Aug. 8, 1864. All the members not other- 




CHATHAM T. EWING, 




ALFRED SICKMAN, 

FIRST LIEUTENANT. 



COMPANY HISTORY. 



85 



wise marked, except the recruits and veterans, were mustered out witli 
tiie company. 



J. D. Owens 
C. T. Ewing 
A. Sickman 
H. Morton 
J. G. Huggins 
S. J. Shearer 
Stephen Ripley 
L, F. Fetterman 
A. Boyd Rook 
S. J. Osborne 
John H. Veach 
Adam Ijroun 
Daniel Graham 
Henry A. Evans 
Robt. Watson 
A. Vs. Osborne 
W. J. Hawkes 
Joseph N. Powell 
John Lambic 
John Hawkes 
John G. Byder 
Jere Deiibaugh 
Geo. D. Barclay 
Jos. Householder 
John Boles 
L. G. Marshall 
Richard Pudder 
J. R. Thomas 
W L. Edwards 
J. W. Vangilder 
Atcheson, Alex. 
Annington, Louis 
Adams, Elijah 
Anshutz, Wm. 
Arbogast, Chas. 
Arbogast, Geo. W. 
Bernert, J no. 
Bradley, Michael 
Clawson, Benj. F. 
Casey, John 
Coleves, Franic W. 
Campbell H. 
Colville, Wm. 
Conner, Wm. L. 
Campbell, W. I. 
Cutlip, Benj. F. 
Dougherty, D. 
Dufford, Jeremiah 
Duxbury, Robt. P. 
Evans, Rufus E. 
Frazier, Jno. W. 
Fife, John 
Forrest, Henrj- 
Forsythe, Jos. 
Fry, John 
Gibson, Wm. 
Guest, Jas. P. 
Garrison, Daniel 
Gregg, Wm. H. 



Capt. 

istLt 

" 
'2d Lt 

I 
jg.M.s 

istSg 



RECORi:) OF SERVICE. 



Promoted to major, 2d Virginia Infantry. 

Wounded at Rocky Gap, Aug. 2G, 63. 

Killed in action at Allegheny Mt., Dec. 13, '61 

Promoted from Corp., Dec. 14, '61. 

Resigned March 22, '62. 

Promoted from Sergt., March 22, '62 



Trans, to loi Pa., Jan. G, '62. 

Re-enlisted as veteran, Feb. 26, 'G.4. 
!Serg. Chief of first piece. 

Chief of second piece. 
" Chief of third piece. Wounded at Rocky Gap, Aug. 26, 'G3. 

jChief of fourth piece. 

IChief of fifth piece. Wounded at Rocky Gap, Aug. 26, '63. 
I " iChief of sixth piece. 
Corp.lGunner first piece. 

Gunner second piece. 

Gunner third piece. Capt'd on scout, Jan 21, '63. Exch. 

Gunner fourth piece. 

Gunner fifth piece. 

Gunner sixth piece. 

Cllief caisson first piece. Cip'-Un^cl S;ileni Riiid. Died at Aiider'^oiiN illc 

Chief caisson second piece. 

Chief c.iis'on ihinl piece. Re-enlisted Fell. :'4, '64. 'rnuis. to li.it, L), i .t 

W. Va. Art. 
Chief caisson fourth piece. 

Chief c.assion fiftli piece. Wounded Rocky tlap Ri? enlisted Jan. 2 't:.\ 

Trans. ]!at. 1!, 5th U.S. Art 
Chief caisson sixth piece. 
Prom, to Prin. Mus., 2d Va. Wounded at Rocky Gap. 



Mus. 
Art. 



Priv. 



Cap. on scout, Jan. 21, '63. Taken to Richmond and Ex. 



Cap onscont, Nov. 2n, '62. F,.\ch. Re. enlisted Feb. 22, '64 Trans to 

Bat. B. 5th U. S. Art 
Re-enlisted Jan. 2, '64. Trans, to Bat. D, ist W. \^a Art. 
Recruit. Killed at Rocky Gap, Aug. 26, '63. 
Recruit. Died in Andersonville prison. 



Deserted July i8, '62. 
Recruit Oct. 3, 'G2. 



Re-enlisted Feb. 24, 'G4. Assigned to battery D. i W. Va.Art. 

Jan. 2, 'G4. B. 5 U. S. Art. 

Discharged for disability Sept. i, 'Gi. 
Deserted July iS, 'Gi. 
liecruit Oct. 17, 'G3. 



Discharged for disability Nov. i, '61. 



Wounded at Rocky Gap Aug. 2G, 'G3. 



Captured at Beverly. Taken to Richmond, Va. Exch. 

Captured on Salem Raid. Trans, to Gth W. Va.Cav. June 22,'64 
Re-enlisted Jan. 2, 'G4. 

Disch.-irged by order General Hill, Co being above nia.vinuini. 



86 



COMPANY G. 



Hart, George 
Hall, James H. 
Hastings, James 
Hobaugh, John 
Hope, Martin 
Hicl<man, SamuelB 
H 11 ft man, George 
Haj-s, C. McClure 
Hcaton, I'riah 
Jamison, William 
Kalor, Andrew 
Kennell\', Roger 
Kilgore, Watson 
Klein, Francis A. 
Kincaid, Albert 
Leedom, Jeremiah 
Little, Arthur 
Lessig, Samnel 
Mansberger, Kobt. 
Martin, George C. 
Maxwell, George H. 
Metcalf, James. 
Moan, John 
Martin, Henry W. 
McCauley, Wm. 
McCauley, Alex. 
McClure, Wm. F. 
McCormick, M. H. 
McCraci^en, Jas. 
^IcCune. Hugh 
McGill, Armstrong 
McGillivray, Far. 
McGillivi-ay, John 
Mcintosh., James 
McKee. William 
McKendrec, James 
McKenzie. Alex. 
Phillips, David R. 
Prentice, George 
Rodgers M. V. B. 
Rowe, Frederick 
Seibert, John 
Shaw. Samuel 
Shields, William 
Sutheron, fohn W. 
Sample, MorrisonA. 
Stroble, Jacob 
Taggart, John N. 
Trussell, Joseph 
Wallace, Patrick 
Walsh, Thomas 
Young, Nathaniel 
Yingst, David R. 
Zeigler, Philip 



RECORD OF SERVICE. 



Priv. Wounded £it Rock)- Gap Aug. 26, '63. 



Captured Salem Raid 
Recruit. 

L'aptiiretl Scout [an. 21, '(j;. K.xch. Re enlisteil Feb. 24, '64. Tran- . to 
t i:.it, B.r.lfi U. S. Alt. 

Promoted to adjutant 2d Va. 
Recruit. 
Re-enlisted Feb. 24, 'G4. 



Killed in action at Bull Run Aug. 30, '62. 

Woun.'.etl at Cio.s Keys June, '62. W'oundeil at Nt w Market May, '64. 

Discharged for disability Dec. 6, 'G2, at Beverly. 
Killed in action at Rocky Gap Aug. 2G, '63. 



Wounded at Rocky Gap Aug. 26, "63. 

KillcLl acciilentally Apr..^(), '64, on H. A 1 I R K li' t. (iiafton A Claikshurg 

Deserted Jul\-, '62 



Captured on Salem Raid. Exch. 



Re-enli^tctl Jan. 2, '64. A--;signeil to battery H. 5 U. S, Art. 
Rc-cnbstecl Feb. 24. Assigncil to battery I), i \V. \'a. Art. 
Killeil in action at New Market. \'a.. May i ;, '()\. \'eteran. 

Rc-cnlisted Jan. 2, '(.;. Assicjaed to battery R. 5 U. S Art. 

Recruit. 

Died at Wli. Sni. Spr-,, Oct. 3,6;, w.U rec'd in ;a 'nat Rrnky (JaiJ.ALU^.'o;; 



Discharged for disability Nov. i, 'Oi 
Sept. I, '6 1. 
Wounded at Rocky Gap Aug. 2G, G3 

Re-enlisted Jan. 2, 'G4. 
Died at Beverly Sept. 4. 'Gi. 

Re-enlisted Jan. 2, 'G4. 

Wounded at liocky Gap and take^ pris.onf>r .Vug. 2G, 'G3. 



CAI'TAIX C. T. F.WING. 

Chatham Thomas I'^winy was born in New Lisbon. Ohio. Januars' 30, 
1S39. In the spring of 185.: he. witli the rest of liis father's famil)-, 
moved to I'ittsburgh, Pa. He iniited with tlie Presbyterian denomina- 
tion when abont 19. years of age. under Wm. M-. Paxton, who is now 




HOWARD MORTON, 

FIRST LIEUTENANT. 




SAMUEL J. SHEARER. 

SECOND LIEUTENANT. 



COMPANY HISTORY. 87 

pastor in one of the churches in New York City, and was one of the first 
leaders in the Y. M. C. A. in Pittsburgh, with Wm. Frew. Gilbert Mc- 
Masters and Wm. Thaw. They held gospel meetings in a room over the 
Duquesne engine house, and they frequently had the firemen to listen to 
the services. In the summer of i860 he was a member of the Pittsburgh 
Zouaves, a company which afterwards furnished a great many officers 
for the union army. At the breaking out of the war, he was in western 
Kentucky on a collecting tour for some Pittsburgh business 
houses, and all this time knew nothing of the war: the first he learned 
of it was on his return when he reached the Oliio river. Hastening home he 
was greeted with the intelligence of the death and burial of his father, and 
on the 15th of May he enlisted for the war, becoming captain of Com- 
pany (i. 

He was admitted to the bar in the winter of t86i, in his 21st year, 
and occupied his father's office, with whom had been associated his son- 
indaw, 1). H. Hazen. At the close of the war he i)racliced law in 
Pittsburgh until the spring of 1S69, when with his family he moved to 
Des Moines, Iowa. One reason for his moving west was his failing 
health, the result of wounds and hardships in the war. Finding that 
the cold winters of Iowa were not beneficial, he removed, in January of 
1 87 1, to the healthiest town in Kansas. Having learned tlie business of 
printing in New Lisbon, Ohio, he commenced the publication of the 
Head-Li^^ht z.\. Thayer, in 1S71, and is now plodding away at his old 
trade, and drawing $1 2 a month from Uncle Sam. At the age of 25 
years, he was married to Miss Ella Wheeler, of Zanesville, Ohio. 
Four beautiful daughters blessed this union, and John the boy, is now 
in his sixth year, all alive and self supporting. The income from a 
country newspaper not being enough to educate them all in a proper 
manner, one of them is now cashier in a bank, another has a lucrative 
position as a stenographer, the two younger ones being yet in school. 
His mother, now 83 years old, is still alive and makes her home with 
him. Capt. Ewing's record as a soldier, is found in the service of his 
company, which is an honorable one, and is given in detail in the records 
of battles and expeditions, in later chapters of this history. 

LIEUTENANT ALFRED SICKMAN. 

Alfred Sickman was born June 27, 1840, in a farm house in Mifflin 
township, Allegheny county. Pa. His mother died when he was about 
8 years old, and his father, Samuel Sickman, married his second wife. 
Miss Ann Ailes, about two years later, and removed to California in 
Washington county, Pa., in the spring of 1858. Alfred attended the 
seminary there until the breaking out of the rebellion, when he re- 
cruited what was later called the "Pike Run squad," and proceeding 
with his men to Pittsburgh, became a part of the Plummer (aiards, and 
was elected first lieutenant at the organization. He was unassuming, 
pleasant and considerate, greatly liked by his men. He met every duty 



88 COMPANY G. 

as it presented Itself, and bravely and conscientiously served his country 
to the best of his ability. At the battle of Allegheny Mountain, Dec- 
ember 13. 186], while gallantly leading his men, he was sliot and fell 
deatl in front of the enemy, dying as a brave soldier should. His re- 
mains were left on the mountain side, and were buried by his comrades 
April 7, 1S63, on their \va\' to Montcrew The remains were subse- 
quently remoxed. and now lie in the beautiful National cemetery at 
(Irafton. 

LIEUTENANT HOWARD .MORION. 

Howard Morton was born in Somerset county, Pa., Jan. 2nd i8.p. 
At the age of si.\ years his i)arents removed to Pittsburgh. His father 
came fr(jm Hampshire count)-, Mass., and was a descendant of (leorge 
Morton, the financial agent of the Pilgrims in London. Cieorge Mor- 
ton's son, Nathanial, came over in the " Ann '" two years after the "May- 
flower" as a member of (K)\ernor Bradford's family. Mrs. I'radford 
was the sister of Cleorge Morton. Nathanial keijt the records of the 
colony for over forty years. Three of Major Morton's ancestors, on 
his father's side, were soldiers. Randall Morton, the father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was a well known educator, and prior to the war was 
])rincipal of the Fourth ward schools in Alleghen\', and now resides with 
his wife in the Twenty-seconil ward, Pittsburgh, in the enjo\ment of his 
old age. The mother of Major Morton was Miss Crissia AVilson, of 
Washington, Pa., daughter of \Villiam "Wilson, and Sarah Clark, who 
was a daughter of Noah Clark, a revolutionar\' soldier. T'rom the abo\e 
it will be seen that the major came honestly by his military spirit. 

In 1 86 1, the subject of the sketch enlisted in the Plummer Cuards, 
was promoted to corporal and aftervrard to sergeant, and at the battle 
of Allegheny Mountain, was ])romoted to first lieutenant. At Rocky 
Gaj), he was in command, the captain having been wounded in another 
part of the field. At Droop Momitain, he a(l\anced the guns u]) the 
mountain side under the terrific fire of the enemies' batteries on the 
summit. On the Salem Raid, when jjenned \\\) by raging waters, by 
attaching a long rope to the collars of the two lead horses of each gun, 
carrying it across, and putting a hundred or more men to it, and literal- 
ly dragging horses and guns into the raging torrents and through to terra 
firma, he saved the battery. His defense of P>everly, \\'e3t \'a., in July. 
1863, shows his daring and skill. At New Market, \'a., Lieut Morton, 
in the absence of the captain, commanded the battery, and with such 
good effect as to call forth letters of praise from Capt. Du Pont, chief 
of artillery. Department of A\'est \'a., and from Alaj. (rcn. Julius Stall!, 
commanding cavalry. 

At the close of his term of service, he was commissioned NLijorof the 
5th Pa. Artillery, and at Salem, \'a.. commanded the regiment in an 
engagement with Mosby. in which he out-generaled the famous rebel 
leader. lie was mustered out at the close of the wai-. and from that 




JACOB G. MUGGINS, 

SECOND LIEUTENANT. 




JOHN H. VEACH 




A. BOYD ROOK. 




ADAM BROWN. 



COMPANY HISTORY. 89 

time to the present, has been engaged in commercial pursuits, with good 
success from a financial standpoint. About thirteen years ago he mar- 
ried Miss Mary Bell Reneker, from Cynthiana, Ky., and the union has 
been blessed with two lovely children, his home being in the East End, 
Pittsburgh. During the railroad riots at Pittsburgh in 1S77, Major Morton 
went single handed into the camp of the rioters and persuaded them to 
surreniler to him the artillery which they had taken from Brcck's bat- 
tery, and haul it down to the City Hall and deliver it over to the au- 
thorities. Ciov. Hartranft comi)limented the Major for his action, and 
claimed it was the most creditable piece of work that took place during 
the riots. 

LIEUTENANT JACOB G. HUGGINS. 

J. G. Huggins, California, Washington county, Pa., was one of the 
squad that went from that section, and became members of the "Plum- 
mer Guards." He was born in East Pike Run township, October 21, 
183 1, where he lived and worked until he was 20 years of age, after 
which he worked at boat building until the call for volunteers was made. 
He received a common school education. When the company was or- 
ganized, for muster, he was commissioned second lieutenant, which posi- 
tion he held until he resigned in March, 1862, at Cheat Mountain sum- 
rait. Upon his return home he again resumed work at his trade as ship 
carpenter. He was married February 7, 1863, to Miss Sarah Craft, to 
whom three children have been born, two sons and one daughter, the 
latter dying when about two years old. His wife died May 17, 1876. 

LIEUTENANT S. J. SHEARER. 

Samuel J. Shearer was born in Cumberland county. Pa., in 1836. He 
was a farmer's son, and up to the age of eighteen, was engaged in the 
usual farm duties, receiving such education as could be had in the coun- 
try schools, after which he left his home and found employment with 
the government, taking part in an expedition fitted out to convey mili- 
tary stores to the troops in Utah. This was attended with great danger, 
as the wagon trains were at all times beset by hostile Indians. From 
the Utah expedition, Shearer drifted to Pittsburgh, where he was vari- 
ously engaged until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in 
Company G. He served as sergeant until the spring of 1862, when he 
was promoted to second lieutenant, which position he held with credit 
until the muster out of the company. 

Shearer was one of the most nervy men in the regiment and was 
utterly devoid of fear. He was a magnificent horseman, and the mem- 
bers of the company and regiment, will remember his big black horse 
which few men beside himself would dare to mount. He was an excel- 
lent companion, always cheerful, taking things as they came, without 
complaint, and was in every respect a thoroughly manly man. In 1867, 
he married Miss Caroline Zeigler, of Harmony, Butler county. Pa., and 
lived one year afterward at New Castle, Pa. From there he removed to 

G 



90 COMPANY G. 

New Springfield, ()., where lie has lived for oxer twenty years, rearing 
a faniil)- of one 1)()\- and four girls. He has lieen engaged in the dry 
goods and grocery business and farming, to a considerable extent, and 
with such success as to rank as a successful man in business. 

SERGEANl' S. J. OSl'.oKNK. 

S. J. Osborne, a native of Westmoreland county, Pa., was born in the 
year 1837, and lived on a farm until his seventeenth year, when he went 
t(j rittsburgh, where he was engaged until the breaking out (jf the war. 
when he enlisted in the comjiany known as the "Plummer duards." 
\Vith them he went into service in ^Vestern Virginia. He was ajjiiointed 
corporal and afterwards prcjmcjted to sergeant, and eliief of the first 
piece, which position he held during the term of service. He was dis- 
charged with the company at Wheeling, since which time lie has been 
living in Pittsburgh, and is at jjresent engaged in mechanic al draughting 
in that city. 

CORl'OK.'M, A. G. OSl'.ORNK. 

A. (1. Osborne was born in Westmoreland county. Pa., in the year 
1833, removing to I'ittsburgh to learn the tinsmith trade. On the break 
ing out of the civil war he enlisted in the company known as the "Jack- 
son lndei)endent Pdues," and with them entered the three months service, 
the company being assigned to the 12th Pennsylvania Regiment, in 
which he served during his term of enlistment. After his discharge lie 
went to Western Virginia and eidisted in ('(jmjjany O, in which his 
brother was serving, and when the company was transferred to the artil- 
lery service, was appointed corporal and gunner of first piece, in which 
position he served until the end of the company's service. He was 
married to Miss Kate Hurst, of Buckhannon, West A'a.. in 1863, to 
which place he removed after his discharge, and carried on the tin busi 
ness, afterwards removing to Emijoria, Kansas, where he was engaged 
in business for several years, from which place he remo\ ed to Texas. 
and is at present living in Dallas, in that state. 

SERGEANT H. A. EVANS. 

Henry A. Evans was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., June ^i^o. 1838. His 
father was born in Huntington and his mother in Alleghen)- county. Pa. 
His grandfather P2vans, one of the pioneers of the west, built a rolling 
mill at Connellsville, Pa., very early in the history of that part of the 
country. His grandfather Henry Pnirns, was the first white child born 
west of the Allegheny mountains, whose parents were killed b)' the 
Indians when he was an infant, and he was found in the woods by a Mr. 
Jones, who reared him as his son. Mr. Evans received his education in 
the public and private schools of Pittsburgh. He chose the i)rofession 
of medicine, but after studying for a year or more, his health failed and 
he was obliged to give it up, when he entered a rolling mill and learned 
to be a heater. He was thus emi)loyed when the call to arms came. In 
company with a few others he was soon recruiting, and after hel])ing to 




S. J. OSBORNE. 




A G OSBORNE. 




HENRY A EVANS, 




* » »>» :"% 




RUFUS E. EVANS. 




JOHN SIEBERT. 




JOSEPH FORSYTHE, 



COMPANY HISTORY. 91 

organize two companies that went into Pennsylvania service, he helped 
to raise a third, the Plumnier Guards, of which he became a member. 

Mr. Evans was appointed a non-commissioned officer of his company, 
and was with it in all the battles in which it engaged, except Droop 
Mountain and the Salem Raid. At that time he was in the hospital, 
having been wounded at the battle of Rocky Gap, by a piece of shell 
striking him on the right side of his head. After being in the hospital 
three months, he returned to his company, and took part in the battles 
of New Market and Piedmont, having his hat shot off at the latter and 
his horse shot in eleven places. While on furlough Nov. 22, 1S63, he 
was married to Miss Sarah Robinson Laing, and they have had seven 
children, three boys and four girls. On his return to Pittsburgh, at the 
expiration of his term, he was offered a situation as a heater by Sheed 
Glark & Co. of Youngstown, O., which he accepted, where he has 
lived since, except for three years. Mr. Evans was a member of the 
Board of Education for the city for seven years. Early in his youth he 
became a member of the M. I\. church, and is now an official member 
of Henrietta M. E. church, Voungstown. He is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity, belonging to Western Star Lodge No. 21, Youngs- 
town Chapter No. 93, and St. John's commandery No. 20 K. T. He is 
also a member of Tod Post No. 29, G. A. R. of Ohio. 

CORPORAL R. E. EVANS. 

Rufus E. Evans was born on the banks of the Cheat river, Virginia, 
on the fifth day of March, 1S41. His father at that time was operating 
a rolling mill there. At the time the war began, Rufus was learning the 
trade. of nail making in Pittsburgh, but on the call for troops by Presi- 
dent Lincoln, he immediately resigned his position, enlisting with the 
first troops that left for Harrisburg, for three months. While absent, 
his brother Henry was assisting to raise a company for three years' and 
Rufus returned and became a member of Company G. He took part in 
all the engagements his company was in, and remained with it until 
mustered out. On his return home to Pittsburgh, he resumed the busi- 
ness which he relinquished to enter the service of his country, and after- 
wards moved to New Castle, Pa. August 29, 1864, he was united in 
marriage to Miss Elizabeth Woods, of Washington county. Pa., and has 
three sons. 

COMPANV H. 

Company H was recruited at fronton, Lawrence county, Ohio, by 
Capt. F. P. McNally, Lieuts. H. C. Flesher and John Combs, June 10, 
1S61. The company left fronton for Wheeling on the 23d, on 
board the steamer Victor No. 3, where they arrived on the 25th, and 
went into camp at Camp Carlisle. They remained there about thirty 
days, during which time they were mustered into the service by Capt. 
Craig. They were then sent to Benwood, four miles below W^heeling, 
where they did guard duty for a while, and then proceeded by rail to 



92 



COMPANY H. 



Webster, thence marched to Beverly, where tlic\' were assigned as Com- 
pany H. 

The following is the muster out roll, showing list of members and 
their record. The comjjany was mustered into the I.'. S. ser\ice June 
28, 186 1, and mustered out June 29, 1864. All the members not other- 
wise marked, were mustered out with the company. The recruits and 
veterans were transferred to the Si\th W . Va. Cavalry, when the com- 
pany was mustered out. 



F. Patrick McNally 
Jos. M. Bushfield 
John Combs 
Henry C. Flesher 
Louis P. Saherbach 
Chas. H. Day 
John C. French 
Andrew P. Kussell 
Isaac C. Craft 
Thos. M. Desilvery 
Michael 13. Keeny 
Noah Cumpston 
Thos. R. Williams 
Thos. Davis 
John C. McLane 
Joshua Kite 
Jas. K. Keeny 
Wm. Shirley 
Geo. Kerns 
Jas. B. Parker 
Geo. Walters 
Reynolds A. Ward 
Moses G. Markins 
Zachariah Hall 
Cornelius Collier 
Chas. Brice 
Anderson, Alfred 
Argabright, Wm. 
Anderson, Geo. W\ 
Benson, David 
Blackwell, Reed J. 
Blowers, Chas. 
Brammer, Rowland 
Burskell, John 
Baute, Wm. 
Bruce, Jas. M. 
Branimer, Jno. 
Bazill, Martin S. 
Berry Jonathan 
Burskell, Henry 
Coile, John 
Coates, John D. 
Clepner, Chas. 
Cristal, Martin 
Connelly, Terrence 
Collier, Wm. H. 
Cassan, Louis 
Call, Albert F. 
Daugherty, John 
Daughertv. Wm. 



Capt. 

istLt 
2d Lt 



istSg 
Sergt 



Corp. 



RECORD OF SERVICE. 



Wag 
Priv. 



Promoted Major March 24, '63. 

Pro. 1st Lt. from Co. D June3o,'G2. Pro. Capt. Mar. 24, '63. 

App'tl 2 J Lt. June 10/61. Pro. to ist I^t.& Ailj. Juno 12, '62; to Cap, May 1/64 

Promoted Captain Co. F. May 20, '62. 

Pio. 1st Lt. fioin Co. E. Mar. 24, '6j. Transferred to Co. C. May i, 64. 
Pro. 2d Lt, from Co. E. June 13, '62. Pro. and trans, to Co. L Sept. 19/62. 
Pro. 2d Lt. irom Co. E. Sept. 9, 'Gi. Transferred to Co. E. Dec. 3, '62. 
Pro. from Privatcto Sergeant July 1^,, ''i. Prom, to 2d Lt. Dec. 3, '62. 



Wounded at I'ull Run and taken prisoner. 

Wounded Droop Mountain. 
Wounded at Bull Run 

Wounded at Bull Run. 

See Scout article. 



Drowned while liathing in Potomac near (."iKiin bridgj Sept. 15, '62. 
Died Nov. 3, '62. 

Died Sept. 29, '63, at P.everly, W. \'a.. from wounds received from bush- 
whackers Cheat river Scout. Sec article on scouts. 

Wounded Bull Run. Died at Grafton April iS, '64. 
Re-enlisted as a veteran Jan. 5, '64. 

Captured Jan. i, '64, near P.unker Hill, \'.i. Died in Aiid."r^unville. 

Leg broken. 

Re-enlisted as \eteran Jan. 5, 64. 



Insane. Sent home Sept. 30, '62, and discharged. 

Severely wounded in face at Bull Kuu Au;;. 29, '62. Kyesiyht injured and 
unfit for duty. Dischar;..;ed. 

Captured on Salem Raid and escaped Dec '63. 
Re-enlisted as veteran Jan. 5, '64. 



Killed June 8, '62, at Cross Keys. 

Killed at Bull Run, Aug. 20, '62. 

Discharged Nov. 20, "62. 

Deserted June 12, '62. 

Discharged Jan. 17, '63, foot amputated 



Re-enlisted as veteran Jan. 5, '64. 



COMPANY HISTOR Y. 



93 



Dalton, Daniel Priv. 

Douth, Absalom S. ; " 
Dyer, John j 

Dwyer, John 
Elswicke, Martin 
F"isher, Lewis 
Freiley, Edmond 
Gaunt, Abraham 
Hope, John 
Hope, Wm. 
Haney, Jos. 
Herman, Elias 
Hughes, Jas. E. 
Hack worth, G. W 
Johnson, David T 
Justice, Allen 
Kidney, John D. 
Kirkpatrick, Francis 
Kevill, Michael 
Kramer, Geo. 
Lyons, Sanil. 
Lynch, Michael 
Morgan, Wm. 
Matiiiott, Jacob D. 
Martin, Wm. 
Martin, David 
Moore, Samuel 
Martin, Theodore 
McNichols, PatricL 
McCauley, Michael 
McKnight, Danl. 
McGarvey, H. 
McGinley, Robt. 
McKnight, Robt. 
McNamara, Martin 
North, John 
Pancake, Abr. 
Robinson, J no. 
Robinson, Richard 
Ross, John 
Roberts, Jonathan 
Sharer, Timothy j 
Sutton, Geo. W. [ 
Slater, Albert C. 
Stratton, Henry 
Schmutz, Chas. 
Strickel, Fritz 
Thacker, Jas. H. 
Tasker, John 
Thacker, Geo. W. 
Webb, Grandville 
Webb, Aden 
Willis, J no. W. 
Wilson, James 
Walbert, C. H. 



RECORD OF SERVICE. 



Re-enlisted as veteran Jan. 5, 'G4. 



Re-enlisted as veteran Jan. 5, '64. 

C.iplurcd Dec. 19, 63, on Saltm raid. Died at .A.ndersonvlle. 

Wounded Nov. 6, '63, at Droop Mountain, leg amputated. 



Re-enlisted as veteran Jan. 5, '64. 
Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 



Died at Elkwater, Dec. 18, '64. 

Captured. 

Wounded at Bull Run. 

Killed at Bull Run, Aug. 29, '62. 



Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64 



Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 

Discharged Oct. 18, '62, for wounds received at Bull Run. 

Deserted Sept. 18. '62. 

Killed at Bull Run, Aug. 29, 62. 



Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 28, '64. 

Discharged Nov. 29, '61, on account of wounds received. 
Transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps, Dec. i, '63. 
Died June 15, '62. 

Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 

Conf'd at hard labor at Ft. Del, Oct. 15, '63, forterm of serv. 

Discharged for disability, Nov. 10, '61 

Died May 9, '62, at Franklin, Va. 

Killed by bushwhackers. Bunker Hill. Va. See Scout .Art. 

Wounded at Bull Run. Rccnlisted as veteran, Jan 5, '64. 

Discharged Nov. 17, '62. 

Killed at Bull Knn, Aug. 29, '62. 



Wounded at Bull Run. Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 

Wounded Rocky Gap and Droop Mountain. 
Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 

Discharged Apr. 15, '63, on acc't of w'nds rec a t Bull Run. 



CAPTAIN JOHN COMBS. 

John Combs was born in Burlington, Lawrence county, Ohio, April 
I, 1S32. He settled in Ironton in 1S54, and engaged in the book and 
stationery business. He enlisted in Company H, and was active in 
organizing the company, becoming second lieutenant. He was ap- 



94 COMPANY I. 

])()inteil adjutant: of the rei^Mment June 9, i<S62, and was promoted captain 
of Company II, May i, 1864, serving until the end of his term of en- 
listment. After his muster out, he settled in Ironton, Ohio, where he 
edited the Ironton Joiiriial: then changing his politics, he edited the 
Ironton Democrat, then the Jron Era. He afterwards went to 
Chicago, 111., and engaged in the real estate business, where he lost 
about all his savings. He returned to Ohio, and is now a reporter on 
the Columbus "Post." 

LIEUTEN.A.NT A. P. RUSSKLL. 

A. P. Russell was born at Russell's Place, Lawrence county, Ohio, 
December 23, 1841. He worked at farming and tanning until 19 years 
of age; enlisted as a drummer in the company June, 1S61, and was 
promoted to orderly sergeant in July, 1S61. He served as such until 
in December, 1862, when he was promoted to second lieutenant, and 
served his term with that rank. He held a first lieutenant's commission, 
but was never mustered as such. After his retirement from the army, he 
engaged in the milling business, and has followed that occupation nearly 
ever since, residing at Russell's Place. 

COMPANY I. 

This company was organized in Greenfield (now Coal Center) and 
California, Washington county, Pa., soon after the firing on Fort vSumter. 
The first Sunday after the news came that Sumter had been attacked, 
was one of intense excitement. Early in the morning the martial band 
was brought out, and ere long a crowd was gathered behind it and 
formed into a procession, which paraded through the two towns. A 
halt was called on the bank of the Monongahela river in Greenfield, and 
speeches were made of the most inflammatory character; and the nucleus 
of a military organization was formed. Other meetings were held, and 
on April 27, 1861, a company was fully enlisted, and it was named the 
"McKennan Infantry," in honor of Hon. William McKennan, of Wash- 
ington, Pa. Notice was sent at once to the Governor of Pennsylvania, 
that the company had been enlisted and was at his call for duty, and the 
answer came that our state could not receive us, the quota of three 
months men not only being filled, but a large number of enlistments 
ahead. Application was made again and again for our acceptance, but 
all failed. At last the word came that loyal Virginia was stretching 
forth her hands, asking the loyal sons of Pennsylvania to come to her 
help, and we decided to enter the service of that state. The order came 
for the company to report at Wheeling on July 10. On the ninth the 
company left for the front, going in wagons to Washington, Pa., where 
we stayed over night, and the next day went to Wheeling on the B. & O. 
railroad, arriving there at 10 a. m., repairing at once to Camp Carlisle. 
Plere we were sworn into the United States service by Major Oakes, the 
company being ofiicered as follows: Captain, !>. E. Smith; first lieu- 
tenant, A. A. Devore; second lieutenant, N. W. Truxal. 



COMPANY HISTORY. 



95 



The company remained in Camp Carlisle until July 2 2d, when we left ' 
Wheeling on the B. & O. railroad, arriving at Grafton on the morning 
of the 23d, thence to Webster, pitching our tents on the side of the hill, 
our first caui]) in the tented field. Here we met a large number of the 
tliree months volunteers returning from their victorious campaigns in the 
front, who heartily cheered us as the "boatmen," because of our 
coming from the Monongahela river, and many of the men having at 
one time and another followed that occupation. The regiment often 
went by that name in the mountains; and partly on that account, early 
gained the rei)utation of being a hardy and sturdy force of men. We 
resumed our march on the 25th, and arrived at Beverly on the afternoon 
of the 27th, where we joined the other companies of our regiment, and 
were assigned as Company I. 

The following is the muster out roll, showing the list of members and 
their record. The company was mustered into the U. S. service July 
10, 1.S61, and was mustered out July 28, 1864. All the members not 
otherwise marked, were mustered out with the company. The recruits 
and veterans were transferred to the Sixth W. Va. cavalry, when the 
company was mustered out. 



2C1 Lt 

istSg 
Sergt 



Corp 



Lewis E. Smith Capt 

Norval W. Truxal 
A. A. Dcvore istLt 

D. V . Williamson 
Jas. K. Billingsley 
Charles H. Day 
Jas. B. Montgomery 
O. M. J. Hutchison 
Jacob Kent 
Jacob Qualk 
Jacob Hornbake 
Alexander Latta 
Geo. Underwood 
John, Lopp 
Samuel Kent 
John H. Weaver 
Jas. T. Bigelow 
Robt. Mayhorn 
Elijah Lichteberger 
Theophilus Dwyer 
Stephen H. Ward 
William Garton 
Abia'm Leadbeater 
Sam'l b Amalong 
James Iv. Dowler 
Amnion, Jesse 
Ailes, John I'. 
Boyd, George D. 
Blair, James W. 
Bee, Thomas 
Billingsley, W. H. 
Billingsley, Jacob D 
Bunting, William 
Baldwin, Nathaniel 



RECORD OF SERVICE. 



Wounded in 



T'm'r 
I'riv. 



Resigned Nov.23;62. Struck by p'ce of shell al Cross Keys. Capt.Kaiiquier 
Co.,Va., Ang.,'62, taken to Libby pris. where his health was broken down. 

Prorao'tedf'rom ist Lieut, to Capt., Dec. 27, '62. 
I^esigned Oct. 10, '61. 

Transferred from Company K. Resigned. 
From, from 2d I,ieut. Prom, to Capt. Co. C, Apr. 15, '6j 
ankle at Cross Keys. 

Transferred from Co. H. 

Promoted from Sergt. to 2d Lieut., Dec. 25, '62. 

Promoted from Corp. to ist Sergt., May 25, '63. 

Discharged for disability, Dec. 15, '61. 
Wounded in arm at 2d Bull Run. 

Captured at West Union. Paroled. 

Discharged for disability, Jan. 22, '63. 

Wounded at 2d Bull Run. Captured at West Union. 



Captured at West Union. 

Wounded at Rocky Gap, Aug. 2G, '63, and captured. 

Capt. on Salem Raid, Dec, '63. Died in Andersonville pris. 
Discharged for disability, Oct. 21, '61. 
Discharged for disability, Eeb. 18, '62. 



Captured on Salem Raid, Dec, '63. 

Killed by the falling of a tree, Nov. 27, '61. 



Wounded at Rocky Gap, Aug. 26, '63. Captured. Died at Savannah. 

Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 
Transferred to Invalid Corps, Nov., '63. 



96 



COMPANY I. 



RECORD OF SERVICE. 



Barnhart, Henry 
Benedict, S. J. 
Clark, Augustus 
Chester, Joseph W. 
Clendaniel, Silas J. 
Connard, John H. 
Crumrine, Marion 
Carpenter, David O 
Crow, John N. 
Clendaniel, Geo. W 
Dehaven, Jehu 
Dowling, Michael 
Devers, Henry E 
Evans, John C. 
Freeman, Louis M. 
Fittsimmons, G. H. 
Geho, William 
Gordon, James H. 
Graham, Dewitt C. 
Harris, Andrew J. 
Howe, Daniel 
Hixenbaugh, C. S. 
Horn bake, W. H. 
Herron, Robt. 
Howden, Noble 
Howe, Samuel J. 
Harris, Wm. J, 
Harris, Andrew J. 
Howe, Lemuel B. 
Johnson, James 
Jobes, William 
Jobes, Robert 
Jobes, Samuel 
Jobes, Andrew N. 
Jobes, Joseph 
Jones, Edward 
Johnson, Joseph 
Lancaster, Hugh 
Latta, Wm. L. 
Moore, Allen 
Marker, George 
Mayhorn, Jos. E. 
Miller, Sansom 
McCain, James P. 
McLaughlin, Jno.C. 
McDonald, Robt. A. 
McCoy, William 
McCoy, Robt. A. 
McCain, Isaac S. 
Norcross, Albert 
Norcross, William 
Phillips, David R. 
Patterson, Nath'niel 
Peters, John 
Qualk, Hiram 
Reader, Frank S. 
Rimmel, Jno. S. 
Rimmel, Frederick 
Rimmel, Jno., Jr. 
Reader, James 
Sivert, Chas. W. 
Shaffer, Augustus 
Soulsby, Cuthbert 



Priv. 



Wounded at Beverly, Apr. 24, 

Deserted. 

Captured at Rocky Gap. Aug. 



'63. Died from wounds. 
iG, '63. 



Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 

Recruit July 5' 'G3. Transferred to Co G. July 19, '64. 



Discharged for disability, Jan. i, '63 
Died of typhoid fever, Feb. 14, '62, 

Captured West Union, 

Discharged for disability. May 31, '62. 

Discharged for disability, Jan. 22, 63. 

Wounded at Bull Run. Discharged Nov. 21, '62. 

Killed by Guerrillas, April 26, '62. 

Captured' at Rocky Gap, Aug. 22, '63. 



Captured at West Union. 

Recruit July 5, '63. Trans, to Co. G, July ig, '64. 

Recruit July 5,'6j. Wnd'd & capt. at Rocky Gap, Aug. 27, '63; died Andv"lle. 

Discharged for disability, Nov. 15, '61. 

Discharged for disability, Sept. 8, '62 

Left at Armory Square Hospital, Sept 25, 'O2. There disch. 



Captured at West Union. 
Wounded at Bull Run. 



Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 25, '64 

Discharged for disability, Jan. 22, '63. 

Deserted. 

Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 

Discharged for disability, Oct. 26, '61 



Recruit July 5, '63. 
Recruit July 5, '63. 



Trans to Co. G, July 19, 
Trans, to Co. G, July 19, 



'64. 
•64. 



Discharged for disability, Jan. 22, '63. 
Discharged for disability, Sept. 27, '61. 
Shot through right lung, May, '64. 
Captured. See chapter on escape. 



Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 

Discharged for disability, Oct. 22, '61. 

Wud'd in leg— amputated— Fauq.Wh.Sul.Sprs. Aug. 26, "62: disch. Jan. 9, '63 

Discharged for disability, Aug. 8, '62. 

Killed at Grafton, July 7, '63. 



COMPANY HISTORY. 



97 



Showalters, Wm. 
Truxal, Henry F. 
Truxal, John W. 
Thomas, Philip 
Underwood, Elihu 
Worrel, Wm. H. 
Wells, Hiram A. 
Williams, John R. 
Wolf, Alfred D. 
Wise, Elliott F. 
Weaver, Abra'm V, 
Wilkins, Wm. R. 
Walker, Thos. J. 
Young, Thomas 
Young, liobert 
Young, Nathaniel 



Priv. 



RECORD OF SERVICE. 



Deserted. 

Recruit Nov. i5,T)2; died of typh'd fev. at Bev'ly, Dec. 31, 62 
Recruit Nov. 15, '62; trans, to Co. G, July 19, '94- 
Recruit Nov. 2. 'Ci; trans, to Co. G, July 19, '64. 
Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 



Wnd'd in leg at Bull Pasture, while out with foraging party. 
Transferred to Ewing's battery, Nov. 13, '61. 



CAPTAIN LEWIS E. SMITH. 

Lewis E. Smith, a prominent business man of Greenfield, was largely 
instrumental in enlisting the company, and was naturally looked upon as 
the proper person to command it. He was a Christian gentleman, 
observing not only the common moral duties that men owe to one 
another, but he as well aimed to gain that C(^ntrol of his mind and facul- 
ties, by which he could wield a power for good, in whatever position in 
life he might be placed. He was a grave, earnest man, and was res- 
l^ected by all that knew him. The captain served his country faithfully 
until failing health compelled him to resign his commission. 

LIEUTENANT NORVAL W. TRUXAL. 

Dr. N. W. Truxal, of Greenfield, was chosen second lieutenant, the 
choice being heartily seconded by every member of the company. The 
Doctor was the very embodiment of good nature and fun, a man of 
marked ability, and had been for some time editor of the Monongahcla 
Valley Spirit, of California, Pa., which ably supported the cause of the 
Union. He was for years an ardent Democrat, but abandoned that 
party directly after the Charleston and Baltimore conventions; and when 
the gathering storm began to darken the Southern sky, his stirring ap- 
peals to the people of his section to arm themselves for the impending 
danger, had the effect of sending into the field quite a number of three 
months volunteers. An address made by him December 27, i860, will 
show the character of the man. He said: "The crisis is rapidly ap- 
proaching. The people of the North are becoming more and more 
united in the determination to maintain the Union by vindicating the 
constitution and the laws. A few arch traitors are occasionally waked 
up in the north, but they deserve less countenance than the tories of the 
revolution. The moral leprosy which has infected with its virus every 
vein of our civil system, and which has so frequently threatened the dis- 
solution of the government, i-s hurrying us on to a fearful crisis, and 
when the critical hour comes, if it is found that all the vitals of our 



98 COJ/P.L¥V /. 

body i»()litic arc corrupted and depraved l)cyoiid the jjower of recuperat- 
illl,^ our once glorious I'uioii is gone forever, and the stupendous galaxy 
of stars that have elicited the admiration of the world, will reel like 
drunken men, demoralized, distracted and debauched. Hut secession 
must not be toleratetl. Revolution must be (pielled by the strong arm 
of the government. Detter, far better that a million of bra\e men 
])erish in defence of the Union, than one state should be suffered to 
secede. No! No! 'The Union must and shall be jjreserved,' is the 
emphatic language of our ])latform. Millions of brave freemen, who 
inherit the blood and ])atriotism of their revolutionary sires, will rush to 
the field to sustain the Union." 

CAl'T.fIX J. K. niLLINGSI.F.V. 

James K. IJillingsley was born January 23, 1836, in Ciranville. Kast 
Pike Run townsliij), \\'ashington county, Pa., and was educated at the 
('alifornia Seminary. He was a public school teacher for eight years. 
He enbsted as a private soldier, was afterward promoted to first sergeant. 
then seconH lieutenant, to first lieutenant, and to captain March 5, 1863, 
and assigned to Company C. He was wounded at ('ross Keys, but 
served until the regiment was mustered out. He was a]ipointed V. S. 
storekeeper November, 186S, and served until 1875; was elected to the 
Penna. House of Representatives for the sessions of 1S75 -6 -7- 8 and 
1881-7 -9. Was Justice of the Peace in C'alifornia from April 6, 1883 
to August 16, 1S83 and resigned; was ap])ointed Postoffice Insj)ector 
August, 1SS3, and served to July i, 1885; was re-a])pointed September 
3, 1889, and resigned January 31, 1890. He is now a resident of Uali- 
fornia. Pa. 

I.IEUTF.N'AX r J. 1'.. MON ICOMERV. 

James B. Montgomery was born near Krownsville, havette county. 
Pa., October 10, 1834. He learned the trade of millwright, wliich lie 
followed for a while, and afterward engaged in merchandizing in 1860, 
and was appointed postmaster of Pike Run P. ( ). He was married June 
7, 1858, to Miss Mary C^. Reeves, daughter of \"an Ruren and Margaret 
Reeves. When the McKennan Infantry was organized, Mr. Mont- 
gomery became one of the members of the company, as a pri\ate. 
After the organization of the regiment, he acted Q. ^l. sergeant for about 
a year, and at his own request was relieved, that he might return to his 
company, as fifth sergeant. He was never off duty, while in the service, 
and was in all the engagements of his regiment, and abva\s in tlie front. 
In the second battle of lUdl Run, he acted as orderl\- sergeant, and was 
with the company in the terrific fire, when the enemy attacked them 
from the railroad cut. P'ortunately for the compan}', it lay so close to 
the cut, that the fire of the enemy went over their heads, and the men 
thus escaped the heavy loss that must otherwise ha\'e occurred, and that 
befell some of the otlier companies. In the second day's battle he 
planted our flag on the edge of the cut in the road, and there it re- 




JAMES B. MONTGOMERY, 

SECOND LIEUTENANT. 



COMPANY HISTORY. 99 

niained in the liot fire tliat t\)llowed. He did good service in this bat- 
tle, which led to his appointment as second lieutenant of the company, 
a promotion he richly deserved. When the regiment was mounted, he 
gave many instances of his gallantry, on scouts and in battle, holding a 
specially important place on the Salem raid, being in the command of 
his company, in the advanced and most perilous positions. He was 
ordered to clear the ford at one i)lace, and with his gallant company he 
performed the duty required, to the entire satisfaction of the general, 
but was left behind, and was not able to rejoin the brigade until Green- 
brier river was reached. When the heroic scout, M. G. Markins, was 
shot at the Gum road, Lieut. Montgomery and his men went to rescue 
him from the enemy, and was the first company to reach the place. 
After the battle of Cloyd Mountain, Lieut. Montgomery was among the 
number that joined General Hunter at Staunton, and went with his army 
to the fight at Lynchburg. He had charge of the remnant of the regi- 
ment, acquitting himself with great credit. In a hard fight in front of 
Lynchburg, our forces lost several pieces of artillery, and General 
Averill ordered Lieut. Montgomery and his little command to charge 
the captors and retake the pieces. They did so and recovered all of 
the pieces but one. LIpon his retirement from the army, the lieutenant 
again engaged in merchandizing, but lost all in the panic of 1873. 
Since then he has been fireman and engineer in the Atlas Paint and Color 
Works, Pittsburgh. Lieut. Montgomery was a brave soldier and a good 
officer, is a useful and honored citizen, and enjoys the respect and con- 
fidence of all the men of the old command, and is eminently worthy of 
both. 

FRANK SMITH READER. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Greenfield, November 17, 1842. 
His father, Francis Reader, was born in Warwickshire, England, in 
179S, and with his parents, removed to Washington county. Pa., in 
1802; his mother, Ellen Smith Reader, was the daughter of a farmer in 
irnion township, same county, and was of Scotch descent. He worked 
at farming and carpentering, and acquired at the schools at his home 
and elsewhere, an academic education. He was one of the first to en- 
list in his company, and served over his full term of three years. He 
took part in all the campaigns that his company was in except Allegheny 
Mountain, Salem Raid and Cloyd Mountain; and participated in 
Averill's advance on Lee's left flank in July, 1863, and New Market and 
Piedmont campaigns in May and June, 1864, that the company was not 
in. Whije at AV'oodville, Va., August, 1S62, he was externally poisoned 
by some vines, and afterwards suffered severely from diarrhoea, his only 
sickness while in the service, from which he did not recover until the 
return to West Virginia in October, but kept with his company and on 
full duty. On July i, 1863, he was detailed by special orders for duty 
at Gen. Averill's headquarters; in May, 1864, for duty at Gen. Sigel's 



loo COMPANY K. 

liea(l(|uartei"s, and afterward at den. David Ilunter';.. serving as orderly 
in the campaigns. After the victory at Piedmont, June, 1S64, he was 
one of the first union sohliers to enter Staunton, and there had charge 
of ])aroling 500 wounded confederates. He was ca])tured on this expe- 
dition, and made his escape, of which see account in a later chapter (jf this 
book, and was discharged of date with his company, so broken in health 
that further service was impossible. He taught school that winter, pur- 
sued a course of bookkeeping in Iron City College the next spring, and 
in July, 1S65, accepted a position in the Internal Revenue service, 24th 
collection district of Pennsylvania, where he served at different periods 
for over 10 years, and was Chief Deputy Collector nearly 8 years. 

December 24, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Mame F. 
Darling, of New Brighton, Pa., to whom two sons have been born, 
Frank E., and Willard S. Reader. He attended Mount Union C'ollege, 
Ohio, in 1867, and in the sjjring of 186S, entered the North Missouri 
Conference of the M. E. C'hurch, as preacher in charge of a circuit of 
nine appointments, but his voice so completely failed, that he was com- 
pelled to retire after one year's service. INIay 22, 1874, with Major 
David Critchlow, looth Pennsylvania Regiment, he established the 
Beaver Valley News, at New Prighton, Pa.; on January i, 1877, he 
bought the Major's interest in the paper, and on February 4, 1883, be- 
gan the i^ublication of the Daily Newx, in whicli business he has con- 
tinued ever since. He was secretary of the Republican county com- 
mittee for several years; while in that office prepared and presented to 
the legislature the first law enacted in the state for the government of 
Republican ])rimary elections; was alternate to the C'hicago convention 
that nominated Blaine in 1884; served in council and school board of 
his borough, and has hekl other ])ositions of trust at the hands of his 
neighbors. He has been a member of the M. E. Church for 25 years, 
being an active worker in the church for over 23 years of the time, and 
for over 15 years has been superintendent of the Sunday school in New 
Brighton, now comprising more than 550 members. It is a work in 
which he takes special delight, and gives to it his best energies, ability 
and time. 

COiMPANV K. 

This company was organized in large part, at Parkersburg, \V. Va., as 
("ompany A. of the Home Guards, by Dr. Jolm W. Moss and J, P. 
Kiger, about the first of Ajjril, i86t. The object of the organization 
at that time, was to protect the city, and to take possession of 400 flint 
lock muskets and two pieces of artillery, which were sent to Parkersburg 
at the time of the John Brown insurrection, and were stowed in the jail 
building. The sheriff and many of the city officials symjjathized with 
the seceding states, and were making boxes to ship these arms to Rich- 
mond, when about sixty men of this company quietly assembled at the 
city hall, one afternoon about the 15th of April and marched to the jail. 



COMPANY HISTORY 



101 



headed by John Jackson, and demanded the arms. The demand was 
refused, when the company with axes and crowbars broke into the jail, 
and took the arms out, and put them in the city hall, where they were 
i^aiarded daj' and night for two weeks, when the Fourteenth Ohio, three 
months men, came in and took possession of them, which were the 
first troops that entered Parkersburg, coming by boat from Marietta, O. 
The company knew that this regiment was^'conliing, and intended to be 
at the landing to receive them, but w^f e a little late getting started from 



camp, so that when they were within three sc^uares-^orThe wharf, they 
heard the boat coming. Capt. Kiger then started his company on the 
double quick, and they were not seen by the troops on the boat, until 
they turned a corner at the wharf. 15efore coming into view, the color 
bearer of the comi)any fell, hurting himself somewhat, and their hand- 
some silk Hag, a i)resent from the loyal ladies of Parkersburg, fell out of 
ranks and out of sight. The soldiers on the boat seeing the troops ap- 
proaching the river so rai)idly, and not being able to distinguish who 
they were, supposed it to be an attack by the enemy, and the greatest 
confusion followed. The long roll was beaten on the boat, officers gave 
sharp and quick commantls, and ramrods were rattling as the men loaded 
their guns. Captain Kiger took in the situation at a glance, halted his 
company, who waved their hats, and cheered the approach of the boat, 
and quiet was soon restored. 

Previous to this little episode, when the company had the arms safely 
deposited in the city hall, they marched to the court house, where Jack- 
son mounted a store box and began to make a speech to the company. 
By that time a large crowd of Southern symjtathizers had collected, and 
General Moorehead, who was at tlie time commander of the militia of 
Virginia, rushed up to Jackson and demanded the return of the arms 
that had been taken. lUu few words passed when Jackson struck the 
general over the head with his cane, when stones and brickbats were 
hurled among the company from every side. The affray lasted about 
ten minutes, during which kni\'es, stones and fists were freely used. 
Many were badly hurt, but the company came off victorious, and Jack- 
son finished his speech. 

Soon after the street fight, a call was made for three months volun- 
teers, and all of the company, numbering sixty-eight, enlisted, except 
four, one of whom was too old. and the other three were so badly hurt 
that they could not go, but the three enlisted afterwards in the three 
years service. The number was increased to eighty men, under com- 
mand of Captain John Kiger, and went into camp at Wheeling. The 
quota not being full, the mustering officer refused to muster them into 
the service. About that time Andrew Crubb was raising a company for 
an Ohio regiment, in Bridgeport, ()., and he agreed to fill out the quota, 
supplying twenty men for that ])urpose, and he was elected first lieuten- 
ant of the company, and the conqjany was mustered into the service 



COMPANY K. 



July 21, iS6i, for three years. At once they repaired to Beverly, where 
they became Company K of the regiment. 

The following is the muster out roll, showing list of members and 
their record. The comi)any was mustered into the U. S. service July 
21, 1861, and was mustered out ;\ugust 20, 1S64. All the members not 
otherwise marked, were mustered out with the company. The recruits 
and veterans were transferred to the Sixth ^\'. Va. Cavalry, when the 
company was mustered out. 



John P. Kiger 
Andrew Grubb 
Arthur J. Weaver 
David A. Jennings 
Daniel K. Shields 
D. F. Williamson 
George A. Quimby 
Wm. R. Stewart 
Geo, H. Eddleman 
Edward Wells 
Daniel A. Roels 
Robert Gaddis 
George W. Brown 
Julius P. Ford 
Thos. Donley 
Chas. E. Chaddock 
Chas. Metur 
Marquis D. Kenny 
Edward C. Maley 
Geo. W. Golden 
John Merricks 
Lafayette Bawyer 
Eli Roberts 
James L. Wilson 
Dewitt C. Heaton 
David Arnett 
Jas. Eddleman 
Anderson, ArthurM. 
Ashworth, Geo. D. 
Broy, Charles L. 
Byard, Samuel J. 
Cain, John C. 
Craven, James A. 
Clark, Benj. F. 
Chichester, G. M. 
Clary, Patrick 
Comstock, Thomas 
Dougherty, Patrick 
Deems, Jeremiah 
Dougherty, John W. 
Davis, Adam 
Dyson, Robert 
Detrick. Chris. 
Diddler, F'ranklin 
Fowler, William 
Grimes, George W. 
Gardner, James 
Goggins, Jas. 
Hoover, Noah 
Huggins, Geo. W. 



Capt. 

istLt 
2d Lt 



Serg. 



Corp. 



Bug'l 



Wag. 
Bls'h 
Priv. 



RECORD OF SERVICE. 



Resigned Jan. 8, '62. 

Promoted to Captain Feb. ig, '62. 

Prom, to ist Lt. Feb. ly, '62. Killed in action .it Diiiop Mt. Nov. 6. '63. 

Resigned Jan. 22, 'G3. 

Promoted from Sergeant Co. B. 

Promoted Adjutant. 

Wounded in neck at Cross Keys and in side at Kelly's Ford. 

Wounded at Bull Run. 

Wounded Cross Keys. Re-enlisted as veteran Jan. 5, '64 

Re-enlisted as veteran Jan. 5, '64. 

Transferred to V. R. C, Dec. 18, 'G3. 

See Scout article. 



Re-enlisted as veteran Jan. 5, 'O4. 

Died Nov. II, '63, from wounds received in action at Droop Monntai 
" 9 

Died of fever July 24, '62, at W'oodN'ille, Va. 

Discharged May 4, '03, on accoimt of wounds received .it Kidl Run 

Re-enlisted as veteran Jan. 5. '64. 

Recruit. See his sketch. 

Discharged for disability Oct. 24, 'G2. 

Re-enlisted as veteran Jan. 5, 64. 
Wounded Winchester Feb. 10, 'G4. 
Re-enlisted as veteran Jan. 5, '64. 
Re-enlisted as veteran Jan. 5. 'G4. 
Discharged for disability April 3, 'G2. 
Thumb shot off accidentally. 
Re-enlisted as veteran Jan. 5, 'G4. 



Discharged for disability May 24, 'G2. 
Deserted July 3, 'G2. 

Captured on Salem raid. Died in prison. 

Re-enlisted as veteran Jan. 5, 'G4. 

Deserted April 11, 'G4. 

Recruit Oct. 3, G2. 

Killed in action at Waterloo Bridge Aug. 25, 'G2, 

Discharged for disability July 24, 'G2. 

Re-enlisted as veteran Jan. 5, '64. 

Sentenced by (i. C. M. to workout service with loss of pay. 

Killed in action at Waterloo Bridge Aug. 25, '62. 
Transferred to V R C. July 18, '63 



COMPANY HISTORY. 



103 



NAME. 


RANK. 


RECORD OF SERVICE. 


Hcaton, John H. 


Priv. 


Wounded in action at Hull Run Aug. 29, '62. CapUu-ed and died in prison. 


Hart, James 




Re-enlisted as veteran Jan. 5, '64. 


Huff, Jas. F. 


■' 


" 


Hanes, Henry 


" 


•' 


Hunter, Thomas 


" 


" " " " 


Hollingshead, A. 


•■ 


W'nded in act'n at Cross Keys. Legamput'd Dis Aug.22,'62. 


Hanes, James 


" 


Discharged for disabllit}-, Dec. 3, '62. 


Jones, Stephen G. 




Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 


Knox, Chas. 




" 


Knox, Saml. B. 




" " " " 


Kelley, James 


" 


Deserted Aug. g, '63. 


Landermilk, Jno.D, 




Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '64. 


Lagan, John 




Discharged for disability, Nov. 17, '62. 


Muks, Benj. F. 




Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, '63. 


Maidens, John 


" 


" 


Miller, James 




,. 


Mail, W. H. 


'■ 


Killed in action at Cross Keys, June S, '62. 


Maloncy, Michael 




Died Feb. 19, '63. 


Melvin, Edward 




Transferred to V. R. C, July 18, '63. 


Megan, Owen 




Discharged for disability, March 2, '63. 


Millstead, Isaac 


■• 


Discharged for disability, April 17. '63. 


McClunen,Thos.W. 






McCleanon, Robt. 


•• 




McConkey, Thos. 




Died from w'nds rec'd in act'n at Droop Mt. Nov G, '63 


McGraw, B. W. 


" 




McAtee, Winchester 




Recruit July 5, '63. 


McAtce, Richard H. 




Died Sept. 11, 'Gi, at Beverly. 


McConaha, Danl, 


''• 


Discharged for wounds received at Cross Keys. 


McGovern, Peter 


" 


Deserted July 30, '63. 


McDonough, Miles 


" 


Deserted Oct. 18, '63. 


Nelson, Franklin 


" 


Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, 'G4. 


Nelson, Hiram 


•• 


Discharged for disability, Oct. i, '61. 


Oaks, fohn 




Killed in action at Rocky Gap. 


Ryman, Augustus 




Re enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, 'G4. 


Reed, Galon M. 






Statter, Harmon 






Sexton, Lindley 




Captured at Salem Raid. 


Smith, Thos. M. 




Wounded at Bull Run. 


Shaffer, Frederick 




Re-cnlistcd as veteran, Jan. 5, 'G4. 


Sams, Saml. A. 




.. 


Stewart, Harvey 


" 


'■ 


Smith, josiah B. 


" 


Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, 'G4. 


Sallyards, John 


" 


Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, 'G4. Wounded Droop Mt 


Smith, Irvi'n M. 


" 


Discharged for disability, April 3, '62 


Taylor, Israel 


" 


Transfen-ed to V. R. C, Jan. 15, '64. 


Traman, Thomas C. 


" 


Discharged for disability, Aug. 23, '62. 


Valentine, Timothy 


" 


Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, 'G4. 


West, Thomas F. 




Captured on Salem Raid. Died at Millen. Ga. 


Wickham, W. L. 


" 


Re-enlisted as veteran, Jan. 5, 'G4. 


Waters, Alex. 


" 


C4 CI CI il 


Wilt, Isaac 




it It t( 11 


Wakefield. Geo. W. 


" 


tt tt (t t< 


Yearian, Joseph 


" 




Yerian, Jos. S. 


■• 


Died March ig, 'G4. 



CAPTAIN J. v. KIGER. 

John P. Kiger was born in Winchester, Va., in 1S22. At the age 
of 21 he made Parkersburg his home, and followed merchant tailoring 
until the war. He married at the age of 25, at Parkersburg, and had 
one son and one daughter. He was well educated, took a deep interest 
in politics and military affairs, and held various offices in the State Mili- 



104 CO MP A An' K. 

tia. He was drill master, for years of the militia in his county, 
and was considered the best drilled officer in ^Vo()d county. His ambi- 
tion was to be a soldier, for which he seemed to be specially adapted, 
in personal appearance, courai^^e and skill. The \\'ar of the Rebellion 
afforded the opportunity, and he had the honor of leailing Compan)' K 
to tlie front. He was well liked by his company, and he took great 
pride in (.-(piipping and drillini.'; the men, bringing them to a high state 
of efficiency. He resigned in the fall of 1861, on account of the ill 
health of liis wife, and remained with her until her dealli. He resumed 
business in Parkersburg until 1S75, ^^'li*-''^ li*-" removed to the \alle}' of 
Virginia, and is now making his home with his son, near Washington, 
D. C. 

CAPTAIN A. GRUliR. 

Andrew Orubb joined Company K at Wheeling, with a squad of men 
from Ohio, and became first lieutenant. Upon the retirement of C,'ai)t. 
Kiger, he became cajttain, which ])osition he held until the company 
was mustered out. He was an efficient, brave and faithful officer, and 
the men had a good leader in him. He was always ready for duty, and 
no service was too severe for him to fulfill to the best of his ability. 
After retiring from the army he lived in Bridgeport. ()., until his death, 
which occurred 1889. The captain was held in high esteem b}' his 
comrades, as a patriotic, courageous man. 

LIEUTENANT A. J. WEAVER. 

Arthur I. ^\'eaver ranked among the bravest and best soldiers of our 
regiment, ^^'e are indebted to Sergeant G. A. Quimby of his company, 
for the following facts in regard to him: He resided in Parkersburg for 
two or more years before the war, his parents living in Frederick, Md. 
He was born in the south, place not known, in 1S37, and was unmarried. 
He seemed to have a presentiment from the time he enlisted, that he 
would be killed. He was often heard to say that should it be his lot to 
fall, he wanted the world to know that he freely gave his life for the best 
government in the world. He was of a genial, cheerful disposition, and 
in camp freely mingled with the men, joining in their sports. (Jn the 
march, he would cheer the men, and make their burdens as light as pos- 
sible, often helping to carry the guns of an) who were worn out. He 
was never absent from the company, or sick a day, during his service, 
and was on every march and in every engagement until his death, never 
complaining or finding fault with his condition. On the Huntersville 
raid December, 1861, in the severe cold, and heavy rain, with no shelter 
of any kind, he spread his blanket over his own and Quimby's shoulders, 
on which a gum blanket was laid, and playfully said, 'we will play 
horse and sleep standing,' sharing all he had with his comrade. He was 
very fond of scouting, and in this wa\' did some good wcjrk. and gained 
valuable information. Just before the Droop Mountain battle, the men 
were eating a meal, and he told them to eat heartily as they had hard 




G A. QUIMBY. 




JAMES L, WILSON. 



COMPANY HISTORY. 105 

work before them. 'I'urning to Quimby's mess he joined them, and said 
to Qiiimby, "It may be, ' Ijiiddy,' this will be the last meal you and I 
will eat together"; then ir^llowed the battle, the heroic charge, and 
Lieut. \Veaver in liis best sjjirits, hap]))' and cheerful, gave up his noble 
life io\ his country. 

I.IKUTF.NAN I' 1). A. JENNINGS. 

David A. Jennings was promoted to second lieutenant from private 
February 19, 1862, and resigned January 23, 1863. No date is availa- 
ble to give a sketch of his life. When he enlisted he was 20 years of 
age. 

SEUOKANT O. A. QUIMin'. 

(J. A. Quindjy was born in Washington county, Ohio, August 6, 1841, 
of I'^nglish descent, and remained on a farm until 13 years of age, when 
he was aj)prenticed to learn the brick mason trade at Marietta. His 
parents died in 1847, leaving four boys and three girls, (ieorge being 
but 6 years old. lie had no school privileges, reading being the only 
branch that he learned, until he was taught to write by his comrades, 
Ceorge IJrown, J. P. Ford and W. R. Stewart, after they were in the 
field. He drifted from place to jjlace, working at his trade, making 
I'arkersburg his home in 1859. At the age of 13, he united with the 
P>ai)tist church at Marietta, Ohio, and was always active in church 
duties, (hiimby was t)ne of the first to join the company, and his re- 
cord was that of a good soldier, never shirking duty, in his place on the 
march and in the battle, and missed but one fight in which the company 
was engaged, Allegheny Mt. He was then stricken down with tyj^hoid 
fever. When his time was out, he enlisted for one year in Company G. 
Second \S . Va. Cavalry, and was in the third brigade, third cavalry 
division, commanded 1)\' Ceneral Custer. He was in the battles under 
Sheridan in the valley, and at Petersburg, engaging in all that his brigade 
had a part in, until the surrender of Lee at Ajjpomattox. At the close of 
the war he made Dayton his home, then married and moved to Colum- 
bus, O., where he engaged in contracting and building until 1880, when 
his health gave way under the effects of diseases contracted in the army, 
and is now a bookkeeper. He is a member and deacon of Hildreth 
Baptist church, was Sabbath school superintendent for several years, 
and is an active member of McCoy Post No. i, C. A. R. 

CORI'ORAI, (;. W. liROWN. 

George W. Brown Avas born in Lancaster county. Pa., and left home 
at an early age and traveled through the west, learning cigar-making, 
which he was following in Kentucky, when tlie war broke out. Like 
many thousands of loyal men in the south, he was compelled to seek 
safety, and traveled through the woods until he reached the Ohio river, 
thence to I'arkersburg, where he sought an oi^jjortunity to "get even" 
with his enemies, and he joined Company K. He was lively and agreea- 
ble, a favorite with his comrades. His courage in battle could not be 



io6 COMPANY K. 

surpassed. After the war he settled in Parkersl)urg', wliere he was married 
and made that his home since. 

LIEUTENANT J. I,. WlftoN. 

James Lewis Wilson is the son of the late Capt. Daniel Wilson, of 
Company 1'), and wqs born at Phillippi, ^'a., December, 1848. He 
claims to be the yoiingest regularly enlisted soldier from West Virginia, 
who served during the war of the rebellion, being less than 14 years of 
age when he was mustered into the service as drummer of Company Iv. 
When he joined, T.ieut. ^^'eaver took him into his tent, and he shared 
with this brave officer his bed and board, until the lieutenant was 
killed. At the reorganization of the regiment in the fall of 1864, when 
the recruits and veterans were consolidated with the Sixth West Virginia 
cavalry, and took the latter name, and while at New Creek, and the 
mounted and available part of the command was in the field, the i)lace 
was surprised and captured by Gen. Rosser's command. Nearly all the 
men were captured, and among the rest the young bugler. The men 
were hurried by hard marches through the mountains, without food or 
suitable clothes, or blankets, as everything had been taken from them, 
to Staunton, thence to Richmond, where they were confined in I'ember- 
ton prison. In the building with 600 other unfortunates, he spent the 
winter of 1864-5, ^vhere they were all subjected to the hardships and 
privations incident to southern prisons. There he celebrated his six- 
teenth birthday. The heartless remark of " Old Boots," the jailor, that 
"here is a boy that would like to see his mother," as he with other 
officers passed along the line taking the names of those who could not 
stand the treatment much longer, will not soon be forgotten. A few 
days later, however, all in the building were paroled, placed in a vessel, 
steamed to City Point, thence north, where he joined his regiment. The 
regiment soon after went west, and saw service in Kansas, Nebraska, 
Colorado and Wyoming, against the Indians. His term of service ex- 
piring December, 1865, he was sent to Omaha for discharge, after three 
years and four days service. Just 1 7 years of age, he found himself on 
the then borders of civilization, far from home, with a few hard earned 
dollars in his pocket, a great deal of experience, and no education. He 
returned to his home in W. \'a., started at once to a select school, then 
to Morgantown, where he was a cadet at the Agricultural college, re- 
maining one year. Pie then began the study of medicine under Dr. \. 
H. Thayer, his old surgeon. By the advice of Capt. Blue, one of his 
old regiment, he came before the Examining Board at Morgantown. in 
competition with others of the district, for admission to \\'c^\ Point. 
He was successful and was appointed in June, 1869, by Hon. J. C. Mc- 
Grew, and entered that famous military school in June, 1870. He was 
graduated No. 5 in a class of forty one, in 1874, joining his regiment, 
the Fourth U. S. Artillery, in California. He was graduated at the U. 
S. Artillery school in 1876, took part in the campaigns against the Sioux 



COMPANY HISTOR Y. 107 

Indians in 1876, the Nez Perces in 1877, the Bannocks in 1878, and the 
Apaches in 1881. He was professor of Military science and tactics, 
and of Mathematics, at the W. Va. University 1S84 to 1888. He com- 
l)leted the course of sul)marine mines and torj^edo service, at the school 
of apjjlication for I'^ngineers, at Willetts Point, N. Y., 1889. Lieut. 
Wilson was united in marriage with Miss Camilla Zantzinger, niece of 
Admiral I'^arragut, at the residence of the admiral in New York City, 
November 10, 1874, and has two daiighters, Virginia Farragut, and 
Mary Augusta. He is now first lieutenant of the Fourth Artillery, and 
is located at Jackson Barracks, New Orleans, Fa- 




CHAPTER IV. 

THE quartermaster's DEPARTMENT. 

REGIMENT to be efficient, and to do its best service, must have 
a well equipped quartermaster department, administered by an 
intelligent, strong officer. Without this its strength will 
be sapped and its usefulness impaired. Such a department the regi- 
ment had, and it was a rare occasion when the men suffered from lack 
of supplies, and then never through the fault of our own quartermaster. 
Lieut. ^Vebster A. Stevens was the first quartermaster of the regiment, 
who had the duty of organizing the department, and putting it in shajje 
for good work. The command had been in active service less than one 
year, when he resigned the office, and on July 7, 1862, Lieut. Alex. J. 
Pentecost was commissioned and appointed to the office. Lie had been 
in the department for a few months, and was accjuainted with its tluties, 
and when he took charge new life and vigor were infused into it. It 
was not a work that was entirely congenial to the lieutenant's taste, but 
he took hold of it with his usual energy, and became one of the best 
officers that served in our command. Prompt, vigilant, reliable and in^ 
telligent, he met every demand made upon him, and was a model quarter- 
master. His choice was an active command, and at the head of a troop 
he would have been a dashing, brave officer, and would have won great 
renown. But at the request of his superiors he accepted this office, and 
there did a work that was, perhaps, of more benefit to the men he 
directly served, than if he had commanded a company or a battalion. 
For his fathful work, the men honor him. Associated with him were 
George H. Kirkpatrick commissary sergeant, and E. F. Seaman quarter- 
master sergeant, who were valuable aids in the onerous and res|)onsible 
duties of the position, and Thos. S. Eichbaum, of Company A, was the 
lieutenant's clerk. 

LIEUTENANT A. J. PENTECOST, K. Q. M. 

Alexander J, Pentecost was born November 18, 1835, at Pittsburgh, 
Pa. When five years old, his father died, and in 1S45 his mother moved 
to Allegheny. Since that time he has been a resident of the latter city. 



QUARTERMASTER DEPARTMENT. 109 

At the age of twenty years, having served an apprenticeship at the 
machinist's trade, he became a member of the firm of Pentecost, Gra- 
ham and Dole, engine builders, Allegheny. He disposed of his interest 
in tliis business, and three years later, when the discovery of gold at 
Pike's Peak created so much excitement, started west in search of for- 
tune. Going by way of Leavenworth, Kansas, and across the plains, 
he arrived at a point about fifteen miles from the base of the "Rockies" 
in the month of Jnnc, 1859. Here he found an Indian lodge, and met 
General AVilliam Larimer, a Pittsburgh banker, who had taken up his 
abode in an old log hut near-by. Upon this spot the beautiful city of 
Denver, Colorado, has since arisen. Continuing their journey to the 
mountains, young Pentecost spent several months exploring the "wild 
west " and prospecting for gold, and returned home in the spring of 
1S60. 

When Sumter was fired upon, and President Lincoln's call for troops 
was issued, Mr. Pentecost was among the first who responded to that 
call. It was his intention to recruit a company at Neville hall, but the 
city guards, under the command of (Colonel Alexander Hays, had taken 
possession of the hall, and his plans were frustrated. Pentecost then 
enlisted with the Washington Rifles, afterward Company A, being re- 
cruited at old Lafayette hall. This company, in response to a call from 
Governor Frank H. Pierpoint, of Virginia, went to Wheeling and entered 
the service of Virginia. They were ordered into service soon after 
muster, taking charge of the B. & O. railroad. At this juncture Cor- 
poral Pentecost was detached from the regiment to assist in organizing 
a f|uartermaster's dejjartment at Grafton, Virginia. In September, 1861, 
he was ordered to the Kanawha valley, and returning to Wheeling in 
December, reported to Governor Pierpont. The latter desired him to 
assist Colonel Harris recruit the Tenth Regiment of Virginia Infantry at 
Clarksburg; but prefering to remain with his regiment, which was then 
in winter quarters on Cheat Mountain, he immediately reported at regi- 
mental headquarters, was assigned to the quartermaster's department, 
and Jul)- 7, 1862, was commissioned first lieutenant and regimental 
quartermaster, 7hcc Lieutenant W. A. Stephens, resigned. 

Lieut. Pentecost rendered active and efficient service in the following, 
and several other notable battles: Rich Mountain, Gauley Bridge, Mc- 
Dowell, Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain, Kelly's Ford, White Sulphur 
Springs, Waterloo Bridge, Gainesville, Second Bull Run, Beverly, Rocky 
Gap, Droop Mountain, Cotton Mountain, Cloyd Mountain antl Jackson 
River. He is the possessor of numerous commendatory letters, com- 
plimenting him upon his valor on the battlefield, from which the writer 
has selected the following on account of its brevity: 

Pittsburgh, Pa.. 
A. J. Pentecost, Esq. 

Sir: — It affords me great pleasure to say, that while you were under my command 
in West Virginia, acting as Regimental Quartermaster of the Second Virginia Infan 



no QUARTERMASTER DEPARTMENT. 

try, you discharged your duties with energy and marked ability, and that at the battle 
of Droop Mountain you participated in the action with great gallantry, contributing 
much to the success of your regiment, although your legitimate duties might have 
been a reasonable excuse for not taking part therein. The reports of your regimental 
commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Scott, were always most complimentary to you. 
Wishing you every success in civil life, I remain, 

Your Obedient Servant, 

Wm. VV. Averell, Late Brig, Gen'l, U. S. V. 

He comes of a military family, being the great grandson of Colonel 
Dorsey Pentecost, who took active part in the revohition, commanded 
the military forces of Washington county in 1781, was one of the first 
justices of the peace at old Fort Pitt, a member of the supreme execu- 
tive council of Pennsylvania 1781 to 17S3, and president-judge of court 
of common pleas of Washington county. Colonel Dorsey was also the 
great grandfather of Colonel Jos. H. Pentecost, commander of the 
One Hundredth Pennsylvania Volunteers, who was killed in battle at 
Fort Steadman, March 25, 1865. 

In civil life, Mr. Pentecost has occupied numerous positions of public 
trust, and has been most successful in business. He is a member of the 
Masonic Fraternity on the retired list, having been made a mason at 
Allegheny City in 1867. March 13, 1865, he was brevetted captain, U. 
S. v., by the President of the United States for gallantry and meritori- 
ous conduct during the war, and in 1867 was commander of Post 91, G. 
A. R., department of Pennsylvania. October 31, 1873, he was com- 
missioned major and aid-de-camp of the National Cuards of Pennsyl- 
vania, by General John F. Hartranft, and assigned to the Eighteenth 
division. In 1888, at the annual meeting of the Society of the Army of 
West Viiginia, held in Columbus, Ohio, he was elected one of the vice 
presidents, and in 1887-89 was appointed treasurer of his regimental 
association. He was a member of Allegheny city councils in 1874, has 
at different times held the offices of president and treasurer of the third 
ward school board, and in i8S7-'89, was a member of the high school 
committee, and member of the board of school controllers of Alle- 
gheny City for twelve years. 

Mr. Pentecost has been married twice and has four sons and four 
daughters now living. April 2, 1863, he wedded Miss Virginia H. 
Andrews at Pittsburgh. Three children— Grant Meigs, Alexander J., 
and Daisy V., — were the result of this marriage, but the mother and 
daughter both died. 

His second, and present wife was Miss Emma P. Marcy, a relative of 
the late General R. D. Marcy, and of Mrs. General George B. Mc- 
Clellan. They were married in Allegheny City in January, 1874. The 
children of this marriage are three sons — Howard M., Dorsey D., 
Frank Pierpont; and five daughters— Nellie S., Adelia R., Bessie B., 
May B., and Emma D. 

He has a beautiful and happy home in Allegheny City, ranks among 




ALEXANDER J. PENTECOST, 

FIRST LIEUTENANT AND BREVET CAPTAIN U. S. V. 

MAJOR N. G. P. 1873. 




ELIAS F. SEAMAN, 

QUARTERMASTER SERGEANT. 



QUARTERMASTER DEPARTMENT. in 

the most successful real estate dealers in Pittsburgh, commands the honor 
and resjjcct of all who know him, either in business, public or social 
life; and his many old comrades who peruse this volume will be glad to 
know that in health and physique he is perfect. A most entertaining 
and witty conversationalist, he can relate innumerable interesting anec- 
dotes of both the sorrowful and amusing phases of a soldier's life, as 
well as of the bravery and endurance of the "boys in blue." 

F,. V. SEAMAN, Q. INI. SERGEANT. 

E. Y. Seaman was born in Zelionople, Butler county. Pa., December 
26, 1S42. His parents were both natives of the state, and his grand- 
parents were (lermans. Mr. Seaman received a common school educa- 
tion, and at the age of 15 years left his home, and went to Pittsburgh, 
Pa., where he worked at gardening a few miles below the city. Shortly 
before the war broke out, he began to learn the trade of roll turning, 
which he followed until the call to arms, when he enlisted as a private 
in Company D. Not being able to enlist in any of the many companies 
forming in his city, on account of his youth and slender build, he 
boarded the steamer McCombs for Wheeling, Va., where the rules were 
not so strict, and joined the company then being formed on Wheeling 
Island. This company was composed almost wholly of men from Pitts- 
burgh and vicinity. He remained with his company, participating in 
all the battles in which the regiment took part, until July, 1863; and 
when it was mounted, he was promoted to quartermaster sergeant of 
the rcgi)nent, in which capacity he served until his term of enlistment 
expired. Returning to Pittsburgh, he again took up the trade of roll 
turning, and served his apprenticeship. He has had charge of the roll 
turning department at the Black Diamond Steel Works, of Park Bro. & 
Co., Pittsburgh, for the last twenty years, and it is the largest works of 
the kind in the country. On December 24, 1865, he married Miss 
Carrie Sold, of Allegheny City. Their union has been blessed with five 
children, three boys and two girls, the oldest and youngest being the 
latter, aged respectively 23 and 9 years. Comrade Seaman is a well 
preserved man of 47 years, in the prime and vigor of health. He is a 
prominent member of the Union Veteran Legion, as well as other 
societies, and is the life of whatever company he may join. During his 
service he was brave and true, always at his post, and a comrade that 
had the love and respect of all his associates. He was very thoroughly 
tried on the great Salem Raid, when he was one of the party commanded 
by Lieut. Pentecost in the retreat, and he was of invaluable service on 
that occasion. It recpiired courage of the utmost staying quality, and 
Sergt. Seaman displayed his full share of it. In all other positions in 
which he was placed he was just as brave and true. In his official capa- 
city, he was very efficient, and rendered full service to his country. In 
the regimental association and Society of the Army of West Virginia, 
he is a whole host in his good nature and entertaining qualities, and is the 



112 QUARTERMASTER DEPARTMENT. 

life and spirit of the gatherings. In the work of prejjaring the regi- 
mental history, and placing his coniinand in its proper ])lace before the 
people, he has been of invaluable aid to the Historian, and much is due 
to him for the completeness of tlie work. Conn-ade Seaman is one of 
the best types of American manhood, and very proi)erly enjoys the 
respect and confidence of all that know him. 

HISTOKV OF rilK DF.PARTiMENT. 

For the following history of the Quartermaster's department, the His- 
torian is indebted to Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, its able head. The reports, 
official orders, etc., are exact copies of the originals, and the anecdotes, 
and incidents of battle, are told in Lieut. Pentecost's own language, as 
follows: 

''During the winter of 1S61-2, while in winter quarters on C'heat 
Mountain, and for some time afterwards, jn^ovisions were plentiful 
enoughj requisitions approved by regimental commander and signed by 
commander of the company, wouUl procure all the rations and clothing 
required, and officers had the ])rivilege of purchasing provisions from 
the department at cost of same. In AjMil, 1862, we were ordered to 
the front, and on May 13th our headquarters were at Franklin, Va. , 
where we joined General Fremont. Then followed Fremont's campaign, 
his resignation and the advance of the army under (General Pope. 

The following order was issued soon after this: 

HEADgU.-\RTERS, 1ST CoRPS, ArMV OF VIRGINIA, Aug. 4, 1S62. 

Sprcial Order, No. i : 

Quartermasters of regiments and batteries will make requisition lor ambulances, 
horses and harness, and send them to chief quartermaster's office without delay. 
Each regiment is entitled to three two-horse ambulances and one transport cart. 

The ambulances now in use by regiments and batteries, will be deducted from the 
number allowed, as above, by the respective quartermasters. 

By Command of Maj. Gen'l Sigel, 

Per F. A. My.senberg, A. A. G. 

To A. J. Pentecost, ist L't and R. Q. M. 

At the time this order was issued, we were camped near Woodville, 
transportation was excellent, and there was an abundance of clothing, 
camp equipage, etc., but this prosperous state of affairs did not last 
long. During the next few days the following official orders were issued: 

Headquarters Independent Brigade, Camp near Woodville, Aug. 7, 1862. 
Special Order, Xo. j : 

Private Charles Stratton, Company D Second Regiment Virginia Infantry, is hereby 
relieved from duty as clerk in Provost Marshal'sooffice of this brigade, and will report 
for duty to Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, Quartermaster Second Regiment Virginia Infantry, 
as clerk in his department. 

By Order of Brig. Gen. R. H. Milrov. 

Henry C. Flesher, Captain and K. A. A. G. 

Headquarters Milroy's Brigade, Camp near Woodville, Aug. 8, 1862. 
Special Order, A'o. 4: 

The Quartermaster Sergeant will remain with the train during the march. 

By Order Brig. Gen. R. H. Milroy. 
Fielding Lowery, Captain and A. Q. M. 




GEORGE H. KIRKPATRICK, 

COMMISSARY SERGEANT. 




THOMAS S. EICHBAUM, CO. A. 



QUARTERMASTER DEPARTMENT. 113 

We had now received orders to move to the front and on the evening 
of August 9, arrived at Cedar Mountain. That night and the following 
day there was some skirmishing. We were liolding a flag of truce. The 
offices on both sides were riding around conversing with one another. 
x\ confederate officer approached me and inquired what state I was from. 
I replied: 'From Pennsylvania.' 'Indeed!' said he, '.So am I. I 
am from Monongahela city. I am C'aptain Dushane, General Ewell's 
chief of staff.' 'I was very sorry to witness the death of Colonel S. 
W. Black, an old Pittsburgher. He was killed in a battle near Rich- 
mond a few days ago.' After a little further conversation Dushane rode 
away. I hardly believed it possible, in the excitement of battle, for 
him to have seen Colonel Black killed, but when we got to camp, and 
received our mail, letters from Pittsburgh corroborated his statement. 
On this same day Cenerals Stonewall Jackson and Stuart, confederates, 
Generals Sigel and Milroy, union, were riding over the field, when some 
officer would ask, i)ointing to one of tl>e latter: ' Can you tell me who 
that officer is?' The cpiestion wouUl, of course, be answered by one of 
our men; and it was all wrong, for General Milroy being a very large 
man, and General Sigel rather small, it gave confederate sharpshooters 
an advantage they should not have had. It was stopped as soon as dis- 
covered by the officers. I recollect going over the battlefield and ex- 
amining some wagons, Stonewall Jackson had left behind, in his retreat. 
They were built like scows, and fashioned after the old Conestoga 
wagons used in Pennsylvania fifty years ago. 

Our trains were from one-half to three-fourths of a mile in length, and 
I had a tlesperate time that night trying to keep the teamsters awake. 
In riding along the line to see that all was right, I would suddenly dis- 
cover a break in the column, which was invariably caused by some one 
of the teamsters falling fast asleep on his horse. While on our march 
that led to the battle of Bull Run, I received the following orders: 

Headquarters Independent Brigade, Warrenton, Va. Aug. 26, 1862. 
Special Order, Xo. j : 

During the temporary absence of Capt. Fielding Lowry, Lieut. A. J. Pentecost is 
detailed as A. A. Q. M. of this brigade. 



By order of Gen. R. H. Milroy, 



Henry C. Fle.sher, A. A. A. G. 



Camp Cedar Run, Va., Aug. 27, 1862. 



Spfiia/ Order, Xo. j : 

Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, Quartermaster Second Regiment Virginia Infantry: 

You will at once hold, subject to my order, three four-horse, or mule, teams, even 
if you have to empty the aforesaid wagons, and destroy the property when necessary. 
By order of Col. R. E. Clary, Chief Quartermaster Army of Virginia. 
Fielding Lowry, Captain and A. Q. M. 

On this march I was with Gen. Milroy almost constantly, and well 
remember, when we reached Manassas Junction on the evening of the 
29th, he said: 'We must take Jackson before night. ' We lay on our 



114 Q ^^' / A' TERMAS TEE DEPAR TMENT. 

arms that night, and were in sucli a jjosition tliat we couhi see all 
along (len. McDowell's line of battle. He was trying to jjrevent Long- 
street's forces from joining Jackson's, and the continuous flash from the 
muskets of both lines, presented the apjiearance of a canal, or river, of 
fire. Gen. Schenck was with us for a short time during this memorable 
scene, and became so impatient that he finally exclaimed 'C'an't we go 
and help them?' Although reminded that we dare not move from (lie 
position we were then in, he persisted in his desire to move up and 
pitch in to the rebels. We were so close to the confederates that night, 
we could hear their voices. Gen. Milroy was in the saddle next morn- 
ing at daybreak, and saluted us with the remark, 'We must take them 
before breakfast.' The boys did not seem to appreciate this mode of 
warfare, but jireferred to replenish the inner man first. After riding to 
the toj) of a small hill and being fired at by the confederates, 
the general returned in haste, and gave the order to the boys 
to make coffee. He liad hardlv finislied speaking, when down 
went the fences, rail by rail, until there wasn't one left. The 
general rode around among the men, and seeing one of them hatl 
his coffee almost made, recpiested him to let him try it. He evidently 
did not like the (piality, however, as he made a very wry face over it. 
During the engagement which followed, a company was sent out on 
our left. (Colonel Latham and I were sitting on our horses together 
when he incpiired: 'Where has that company gone? ' I replied I did 
not know, but would find out, and rode off in the direction indicated. 
I had not gone far when an ortlerly rode up to me and said; -General 
Milroy wishes to see you, on our extreme right.' I at once rpde over 
to the general, who said: ' Vou are making an unnecessary sacrifice of 
your life this morning. 1 want you to go, as cpiickly as possible, to 
Alexandria, where I understand all the lame and lazy are, and bring 
them all here.' This I considered a scheme to keep me off the battle- 
field for that day, at least: however L of course, obeyed his orders, 
promptly. Upon arriving at Alexandria I procured all the surgeons I 
could find, had them examine a lot of men who were feigning sickness, 
and finally succeeded in getting quite a good command back to the scene 
of action, which we reached some time that afternoon. I rode up in 
the direction of the railroad cut. and there witnessed a scene beyond 
the powers of description. The enemy had taken a position behind 
this cut. Many of our men were lying in the cut, either killed or 
wounded, and every tinle one of the latter would attempt to rise from 
the ground, the rebels would fire. Both sides having ceased firing, t)ur 
handful of men were again placed in line ready for an emergency, but 
remained inactive until about five o'clock. At this time, as Lieutenant- 
Colonel Scott and I were riding over the field, we noticed General Fitz 
John Porter, and his division, at the edge of a piece of timber. An 
orderly rode up to the general with a message, and, just as he was read- 



QUARTERMASTER DEPARTMENT. 115 

inij; it, the confederates opened a deadly fire from a corn field on our 
left. They were fairly mowing swathes in Porter's ranks, when the lat- 
ter began to return their fire: and it was at this juncture (leneral Milroy 
showed his foresight and bravery. Although our regiment had been so 
greatly reduced in numbers, we gained a point known as Bald Knob, 
and the general seeing the Pennsylvania Bucktails lying in reserve, 
shouted to them to follow him, which they did with a will. By going 
in with a rush we held the enemy's right. By this move the entire rebel 
advance was held, and an immense number of our men saved from 
absolute slaughter. During this sharp skirmish I was on my horse, 
when some one reminded me I was making a target of myself, and had 
better dismount. I was saved the trouble, however; for just at that 
moment a shell plowed a furrow under my noble steed, and down he 
went without the slightest warning. 

Immediately after, we went into camp at fort Ethan Allen, to recruit 
our shattered command, many of the men being greatly in need of cloth- 
ing and medical attention; and while at this fort I received the follow- 
ing order: 

Camp near Chain Bridge, Va., Sept. 6, 1862. 
Special Ord-jr, Xo. S : 

Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, Q. M. Second Virginia Infantry: 

You will retain six (6) of your best teams, or as many as you may need for the 
transportation of five (5) days provision for the regiment. All other teams must be 
immediately sent to Col. D. H. Rucker, Q. M., Washington, D. C, who requires the 
service of 300 teams. If the first army corps cannot furnish 300 teams, under the 
above directions, the provision teams must be reduced. The regimental baggage 
must be unloaded and stored, and an agent with guard of infantry will proceed to 
Georgetown, store and guard the baggage at that place, or Washington, D. C, which- 
ever may be most desirable. It is desirable that you at once proceed to get your 
trains ready. When so, please report. 

By order of D. W. Loomis, Chief Q. M., First Army Corps. 

Fielding Lowry, A. A. Q. M. 

We were now ordered to West Virginia, and on the way passed 
through Washington, where our regiment was reviewed by President 
Lincoln, in front of the White House. This was by his own request, 
made on one of (ien. Milroy's visits to him after the battle of Bull Ps.un. 
From Washington we went to Point Pleasant, West Va. This trip fur- 
nished many amusing incidents, such as a number of the boys taking 
French leave by jumping off the train, while crossing the Allegheny 
mountains. Among these leave takers was an old man named Fitzsim- 
mons, a private in Company I), and it was reported that he had been 
killed by his jump from the cars. One evening in the following October, 
Col. Latham and I were sitting out in front of our quarters, when Fitz- 
simmons approached the colonel with the usual military salute. Ts that 
you, Fitz ?' said the colonel. 'It is, colonel,' replied Fitzsimmons. 
'Why,' said the colonel, 'I heard you were killed when you jumped off 
the train, coming over the mountains.' 'I heard that myself, colonel, 



1 1 6 Q UA R TERM A S TE R DEPA R TMENT. 

when I got to Pittsburgh: but I knew it was a be as soon as I heard it,' 
was Fitz's droll rej)!}-. AVc were now camped at Buckhannon and like 
Fitz, the boys had all reported for duty. The following orders were 
issued: 

Hdqrs. Second Vircinia Vol. Inf., Beverly, Va.. Oct. 30, 1862. 
Spcdal Onhi\ Xo. 12: 

The following soldiers are hereby detached as teamsters, and will be enrolled as 
extra dnty men, from the dates opposite their names, by Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, 
regimental quartermaster: J. McCrea, Co. A, Antony Cristy, Co. C, Jefferson Keed. 
Co. D, Oct. 12, '62; Marion Moore, Co. E, Oct. 21, '62; John Sheets, Co. F, Oct. 
25, '62; H. Schott, Co. C, Oct. 21, C2, H. McGarvy, Co. H, John I^timmel, Co. I, 
Oct. 12, 62; Calon Reed, Co. K, Jas. Wilson, Co. H, I^obt. A. McCoy, Co. I, David 
A. Castillow, Co. E, Nov. i, '62. Private Jos. Black, Co. F, is hereby detailed regi- 
mental blacksmith from Oct. 12, 1862. 

The following are hereby detailed as e.xtra duty men, and will report for duty to 
Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, provided with one ax each: Wm. Dever, Benj. F. Kurtz, 
Co. A; Thos. B. Richardson, Matthew Fanzell, Co. F; I. G. Martin, John N. Leese, 
Co. B; Jackson Yonking, Wm. I. Cox, Co. E; S. G. Jones, Isaac Wilt, Co. K; R. 
Bowman, H. Emerig, Co. C; D. F. Johnson, Cornelius Collier, Co. H; Bonaparte 
Brooks, John Woods, Co. D; Henry Devers, Wm. McCoy, Co. I. 

By Order of A. Scott, Lieut. -Colonel. 
(Signed) J. Comcs, Adjutant. 



Headquarters Cheat Mountain Divlsion, Beverly, Va., Nov. 15. 1S62. 
Sptiial Order, No. g6 : 

Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, R. Q. M. 2d Va. Infantry, is hereby appointed A. A. O. M 
for the Post at Beverly, until further orders, and as such will be obeyed and respected. 
He will also have charge of all the duties properly belonging to the Q. M. Dep't. at 
this Post. 

By Order of Brig. Gen. K. H. Milroy. 
Henry C. Fle.sher, A. A. A. Gen. 



Headquarters Northern Brigade, Buckhannon, Va., Feb. 16, 1863. 
Sptcinl Order, No. 2-j : 

Captain Comley, C. S., U. S. A., Clarksburg, Va., is hereby ordered to turn over 
all commissary stores and property at Beverly, Va., to Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, A. A. 
g. M. and A. C. S. at that Post. 

By Command of Brig. Gen. Moor. 
N. Goff, a. D. C, A. A. A. Gen. 



Post Headquarters, Beverly, W. Va., March 10, 1S63. 
Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, A. A. Q. M. ; 

You will furnish Capt. Thomas E. Day transportation for the corpse of A. Spon- 
holtz, late of Company E, Second Regiment Virginia Infantry to Fetterman, on the 

B. & O. R. R. 

By Command of A. Scott, Lieut. Colonel Commanding Post. 

J. Combs, Post Adjutant. 



Post Headquarters Beverly, Va., April y, 1863. 
Capt. D. D. Barclay, 2d Reg't Va. Vol.. Inf., Capt. H. H. Hagans, Co. A, ist Va. 
Cavalry, and James B. Montgomery, 2d Va. Vol. Inf., are hereby appointed a Board 
of Survey, and will report to Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, at 2:30 o'clock P. M. this day. 
By Order of Lieut. Col. A. Scott, Commanding Post. 
J. Combs, Adjutant. 



QUARTERMASTER DEPARTMENT. 117 

Nothing of interest occurred here until the 24th of April, 1863. It 
was a dismal day, raining at intervals, and a heavy fog, or mist, over- 
hung the valley near Beverly. I was seated in my office, when I was 
told Col. Latham, who was commander of the post, wished to speak to 
me. Upon going to the door I found the Col. seated on his horse. 
He said there was something wrong at the picket lines, and requested 
me to go with him to investigate the trouble. I at once ordered my 
horse, and we started in the direction of a bridge which crossed the 
river near Huttonville, taking with us an Ohio company of cavalry. A 
short distance from the bridge, we found Frank Ferris, of Beverly, lying 
on the ground. As I looked down at him he said, 'Here is my pistol, 
lieutenant, I am shot.' He appeared to be very weak. I took tne 
pistol, and leaving him in charge of the guards at the bridge, we con- 
tinued on our way. A little further on, Col. Latham called my atten- 
tion to a long line of cavalry on the other side of the river. On account of 
the fog, it was impossible to tell to which army they belonged, and I 
remarked that they were probably a company of cavalry sent out as an 
escort, with one of my trains during the morning. Riding on in the 
direction of Huttonville, \vc posted guards, and returning to the bridge, 
had barely reached the end of it, when we heard the sound of horses' 
hoofs. Upon looking around we discovered our guards coming back on 
a double quick, evidently pursued by a large force of confederate cav- 
alry. 1 succeeded in checking our men when they reached us, and got 
them into a little flat near by. The guards at the bridge now began to 
get alarmed and wanted to know how they were to defend themselves 
against a whole regiment. Col. Latham ordered them to climb td a 
point of rocks near the bridge, and hold the latter at all hazards. 
Seeing another large body of confederates moving toward Beverly, the 
colonel said we had better notify our men who were in camp there. 
Butting spurs to my horse, I complied with tlie colonel's suggestion as 
quickly as possible, and had barely arrived at camp when the confed- 
erates began throwing shells from the mountain peaks as fast as they 
could load. It soon became ajiparent that we were at the mercy of a 
force, very much our superior in numbers, under Gens. Imboden and 
Jones. Our men fought bravely but were driven back, inch by inch, 
into the town of Beverly. As quartermaster and commissary at Beverly, 
I had a large amount of' stores in my charge, and feeling certain we 
would finally have to leave the town, I began preparing the warehouses 
for destruction. Our commissary stores were in charge of Com. Sergt. 
Ceo. H. Kirkpatrick, who built flues of candle boxes, and strewed lines 
of powder across the floors, so that when the signal was given the 
whole thing would go like a flash. About the time these ])reparations 
were completed, I received the following telegram: 

BucKiiANNON, Va., April 24, 1863. 
To Col. Geo. R. Latham, Beverly, Va. : 

Destroy all the stores you cannot take with you. 

B. S. Roberts, Brig. Gen. 



ii8 QUARTERMASTER DEPARTMENT. 

I certify that I promulgated the above order to Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, during the 
engagement at Beverly, Va., April 24, 1863. 

Geo. K. LATH.^M, Commander. 

When the bullets began whizzing close to our heads, and I saw retreat 
v\'as inevitable, I rode out on the main street and threw up my hand as a 
signal to set the match to the stores. In a few moments the store 
houses were no more, and they were the last the government ever built 
at that ))lace. I shall never forget the expression depicted on the faces 
of our boys as they looked back at the camp, and saw the rebels ransack- 
ing the tents. Just as we were at the edge of the town a confederate 
regiment came sailing through the woods, anil charged on us, and we 
returned their charge in such a vigorous manner, it nearl}- took their 
breath away, and they left us in hot haste, ^^'e camped that night just 
outside the town, at Leading creek, and although all was perfectly cpiiet, 
Maj. McNally dreamed we were again attacked and waked me up by 
shouting at the top of his voice, ' Fall in boys, fall in!' The next morning 
Ave proceeded to Clarksburg, from there Xo West Union, and finally 
went into camp at IJuckhannon. From Buckhannon we returned to 
Beverly, were made mounted infantry and ])laced under command of 
the celebrated Gen. Averell, an officer from the Army of the Potomac. 
The following orders were issued: 

Divi.sioN Quartermaster's Office, Weston, Va., May 24, 1S63. 
Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, Q. M., Second Virginia Volunteer Infantry: 

Sir: — By order of Brig. Gen. W. \V. Averell, commanding Independent Division, 
you are requested to furnish me with following information immediately. Make a 
report in writing. Number of days rations and forage on hand; number of shelter 
tents in regiment and any required; an}' clothing needed and what quantity. 

J. N. Rutherford, Capt. and A. Q. M., U. S. A., and Div. g. M. 

Assistant- Quartermaster's Office, Weston, Va., Ma\- 2G, 1S63. 
Lieut. A. J. Pentecost. Q. M. Second Virginia Volunteer Infantry: 

Sir: — By order of Brig. Gen. W. W. Averell, }ou arc requested to furnish me the 
following information immediately: 

What number of public horses, public mules, private horses, two horse wagons, 
four horse wagons, and ambulances, belonging to the regiment, and the condition of 
transportation. 

Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant, 

J. N. Rutherford, Capt., and A. y. M., U. S. A. 



Headquarters Fourth Separate Brigade, Beveri.v, Va., June 14, 1S63. 
Spenal Or, /.■)■, Xo. /j: 

Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, R. Q. M., 2d Reg't Va. Vol. Infty, is hereby relieved from 
duty as acting assistant quartermaster of the Post at Beverl}-. He will turn over the 
public property pertaining to the so-called Post at Beverly, for v.hich he is accounta- 
ble, to the R. Q. M., of the loth Va. Vol. Infty. 

By Command of Brig Gen. Averell. 
C. F. Trowbridge, Captain and A. A. A. Gen. 



Hdqrs. Second Virginia \'ol. Inf., Grafton, Va., June 24, 1863. 
Spi-ciai Order, No. 26: 

Privates Robert McCoy and Jos Chester, of Co. 1., C. M. Roberts and C. Kirch- 



QUARTERMASTER DEPARTMENT. 119 

offer, of Co. F, Second Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry, are hereby detailed as 
extra duty men, and will report to Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, forthwith, for duty. 

By Command Col. G. R. Latham. 
J. CoMRs, Lieut, and Adj't. 

|une 23(1, we were in camp at (Irafton, and drew horses for the entire 
command. Shortly after this we were sent to Ikickhannon. Provisions 
and clothing were plentiful and nothing of importance transpired until 
the month of August. In that month we were on the march with Gen. 
W. W. Averell commanding, and Col. Geo. R. Latham commanding 
regiment. On yVugust 26th we fought a battle at Rocky Gap. When on 
the march, after I had the trains fully under way, it was my custom to 
ride with some officer. On tlie morning of August 26th, I was riding 
beside Capt. C. 1". lowing, and while we were chatting on various sub- 
jects, we noticed a man, mounted on a gray horse, .descending a hill. 
As soon as he saw our advancing column, he turned and tried to avoid 
us, but Ewing and I, putting spurs to our horses, soon overtook and 
captured him. In reply to Capt. Ewing's questions, he stated he was a 
(juartermaster in the confederate army, and was out purchasing supplies. 
Seeing something bulky in his pocket, the captain asked him what it 
was. He replied, 'It is confederate money,' and pulled out a large 
package of 10, 20 and 50 dollar bills, and of which Capt. Ewing 
promptly relieved him. The cpiartermaster then said he must account 
to his government for the money, and would like to have a receipt. 
Ewing referred him to me, saying, 'This is our quartermaster and he 
will give you a receipt,' and handing me part of the money, he rode off 
without further ceremony. P>y this time the column had arrived on the 
scene and our i)risoner was handed over to the guard. 

A few minutes after this little episode. General Averell and I were 
riding at the head of a column, when we heard the sound of artillery 
ahead of us. Knowing that Captain Ewing was in advance with the 
guns, we at once concluded he had met the enemy, and opened fire. 
We started for the scene of action on a double quick, and arriving there 
found Ewing badly wounded. Wo. were on a pike road and the general 
immediately deployed the Second Virginia and Fourteenth Pennsylvania 
cavalry to the right. Third and Eighth Virginia to the left, Ewing's bat- 
tery in the center. We made a number of charges during the day, but 
neither side seemed to gain any advantage. Toward evening (General 
Averell came and told me we would make the final charge, and requested 
me to pass the word along the line. I, in turn, requested Lieut. Col- 
mer to do so. The signal for this charge was the raising of dust by the 
horses of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania cavalry, commanded by Captain 
R. Pollock. The moment the dust appeared, we charged; but it was a 
vain attempt, for our ammunition gave out and we had to fall back. 
During the charge I was swinging a sabre with all my might, and Major 
McNally and Sergeant Carne}', who were almost by my side, were both 



120 QUARTERMASTER DEPARTMENT 

killed, It was now getting dark, and although Lieut. John R. Meigs 
and myself had promised to meet the general after this charge, we con- 
cluded to try to get a little rest, if possible. 

Lieut. Meigs, (General Averell's Chief Engineer, was a graduate of 
West Point, and son of Maj. Gen. M. C. Meigs, Q. M. Oen. U. S. 
Army. He ^\■as a gallant officer, and displayed great courage in this 
battle, and at Droop Mountain and on the Salem raid. He was mur- 
dered by bushwhackers in the Shenandoah valley, and (ien. Sheridan, 
threatened general destruction in llic \alley in retaliation. In the 
first charge in the morning, I recollect being on the left of our regiment, 
when I came shoulder to shoulder with Col. J. AL Schoonmaker, who 
was on the right of his regiment, the 14th Pa. Cavalry, ^\■e were not 
successful, and as we fell back to the foot of the hill at a maple grove, 
I stood behind the men when they fell back, and found myself near a 
tree. I heard some of our men calling to me, but could not make out 
what they meant, but on looking across a rail fence, I discovered a 
confederate taking aim at me, who had been there for some time, whose 
firing had caused j^ieces of bark to fall over me, but I had not noticed 
it particularly until I saw the marksman. I immediately moxed nearer 
our own forces. The following da}- we began a retreat. lapi)ing the 
trees across the road to prevent llie enemy from following us. 

Upon reaching Peverly. we went inl(j camp, and while there the fol- 
lowing orders were issued: 

Hdqrs. Quartermaster Dep't, Fourth Separate Brigade, Sept. 22, 1S63. 
Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, K. Q. M. Second Virginia Infantry: 

You will report to these headquarters by 11 o'clock this morning, the exact number 
of horses required by your command, to make it completely effective. 

By Order of Brig. Gen. Averell. 
G. H. North, Lieut, and A. A. Q. M. 4th Sep. Brig. 



Hdqrs. Q. M. Dept., Fourth Separate Brig., Beverly, W. VA.,Oct. G, 1863. 
Circular : 

The general commanding directs that hereafter all regimental quartermasters in his 
command, in foraging in the surrounding country, will in no case take all the hay from 
union men, but leave enough to winter their stock. Regimental quartermasters will 
be held responsible for violation of this order by the trains in their charge. When 
fodder can be obtained, it is directed that it be used to make up the deficiency in hay, 
giving receipts for same, to be accounted for by the brigade quartermaster. 



Headquarters Fourth Separate Brigade, Beverly, W. Va., Oct. 15, 1S63. 
Circiildr : 

All officers will turn over to-morrow morning, to regimental quartermasters, for 
transportation and storage, all baggage in excess of the following allowance: 

To each officer a small valise, or carpet bag, and small mess kettle. These articles 
will be carried on the two wagons allowed to each regiment. All officers' tents will 
remain standing until further orders. 

By Command Brig. Gen W W Averell. 
L. Markbreit, a. a. a. Gen. 



QUARTERMASTER DEPARIMENT 121 

Headquarters First Separate Brigade, Beverly, W. Va., Oct. 18, 1863. 
Special Order, A'o. 4: 

Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, R. Q. M., 2nd Regt. Va. Mounted Inf., is hereby ordered to 
proceed to Clarksburg on business connected with the quartermaster department of 
this brigade. 

By command of Brig. Gen. W. W. Averei.l. 
L. Markkreit, a. a. a. Gen. 

Headquarters First Separate Brigade, Beverly, W. Va., Oct. 20, 1863. 
Special Order, iVo. — .■ 

Leave of absence is hereby granted to the following named officer: Lieut. A. J. 
Pentecost, I^. Q. M., 2nd Regt. Va. Mounted Inf., for five days. 

By command of Brig. Gen. Averell. 
Will Rumsey, Cnpt. and A. D. C. 

During the illness of Capt. W. H. Brown, Gen. Averell's chief quar- 
termaster, I was chosen to act as quartermaster for the division on the 
Droop Mountain expedition. 

The following is a copy of receipts given on the Droop Mountain ex- 
pedition, by order of den. W. W. Averell, commanding division : 

On the march near Lewisiiurg, Va., Nov. 7, 1863. 
The United States, 

To John Smith, Dr. 

Rails burnt by troops $25 00 

Five tons of hay, $6.00 30 00 

Total $55 00 

I certify that this account is correct, and that the abo\c items were taken for the 
good of the service, and recommend the payment of said claim, should the said John 
Smith prove loyal to the close of the war. 

By order of Brig Gen. W. VV. Averell, Commanding Div. 
A. J. Pentecost, ist Lieut, and A. A. Q. M., Cav. Div. 

December i, 1863, we left New Creek and started on the Salem raid, 
which was, perhaps, one of the most hazardous and exciting expedi- 
tions of the war. Everything went well until we reached Jackson river 
on our return. On account of bad weather, and worse roads, our trans- 
lK:)rtation was not of the best and progress was rather slow. The trains 
were guarded by the Fourteenth Pa.cavalry,under command of Lieut. Col. 
Blakcly, and were a considerable distance behind the rest of the com- 
mand. We were finally cut off from them entirely by the burning of a 
bridge. Capt. \\. H. Brown, Commissary Serg't George H. Kirkpatrick, 
and I started down the road to investigate the trouble, and on our way 
met a detachment of confederates who had captured some of our ambu- 
lances, and fired on us. We returned to camp, and there found several 
confederate officers standing around the fire, holding a conversation with 
our own officers. They informed us that we were their prisoners, and 
taking charge of us would be merely a matter of form. I expressed my 
opinions pretty freely, and after some sharp words they departed. The 
air was very cold that night, but we had to sleep at a distance from our 
fire to avoid being shot at. Morning came at last, and Captain Powell 
and myself were ordered to command the advance. The fire of the 
I 



122 QUARTERMASTER DEPARTMENT. 

enemy's artillery from the mountain tops began to have a telling effect, 
and we finally concluded to burn the trains, which was successfully ac- 
complished under the direction of my Quartermaster Sergeant Elias Y. 
Seaman, who deserves much credit for the manner in which he con- 
ducted it. We were now forced to fight or cross the river, and discover- 
ing a fording a short distance up the stream, we started for it, hotl}' 
pursued by the eneni)'. Just as we reached the ford Lieut. Colonel 
Blakely came up and shouted: 'Volunteers, step out and defend this 
fording under command of Lieut. A. J. Pentecost.' He was i)romptl)- 
obeyed, and assured me he would remain near at hand willi reinforce- 
ments. ^Ve held the fording for some time and finally succeeded in 
joining our command on the mountains near Calahans. When we ar- 
rived there the boys shouted themselves hoarse, they were so rejoiced at 
our escape. The march was continued, we defeated the confederates 
at several points, and the tearing up of the Virginia and Tennessee 
Railroad ended the great Salem raid. 
The following order speaks for itself : 

War Department, Adj't Gen'l's Office. Washington, Dec. 30, 1S63 
Special Order, A'o. ^jS: 

[extract.] 

The quartermaster's department will issue gratis, to cacli man ol' Gen. Averell'r. 
command, one pair of shoes, and a suit oi clothinj^, to replace those lost and worn 
out in his recent expedition. 

• By order of the Secretary of War, 

(Signed), E. D. Townsend, Ass't Adj't Gen. 
Official copy; Will Rumsev, A. A. G. 

The following orders were issued at Martinsburg: 

Hdqrs. Fourth Division Dept. W. Va., Martinshurg, W. Va. Feb. 6, 1S64 
Spc'cin/ Order iVo. ji : 

Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, K. y. ]\I., 5th Kegt. W. Va. Vol. Cav., will proceed to 
Webster and Clarksburg, W. Va., to attend to business connected with the Ordinance 
Department of his regiment. He will return as soon as practicable. 

By command of Col. J. M. Schoonmaker. 
Henry N. Harrison, A. A. A. G. 



Hdqrs. Fourth Division Dept. W. Va., Martinsburg, W. Va, Feb. 22, 18G4. 
Special Order, No. 46: 

[extract.] 
Lieut. A. J. Pentecost. R. Q. M., 5th W. Va. Cav., will proceed to Clarksburg and 
Wheeling, W. Va., to transact business connected with the Ordinance Department of 
this Division. 

By command of Brig. Gen. W. W. Averell. 
Will Rumsev. A. A. G. 



Hdqrs. Third Brig., Fourth Div., Dept. of W. Va., 

Martinsburg, Va., March 10. 1SG4 
General Order, A'o. b : 

Lieutenant A. J. Pentecost, R. y. M., Fifth W. Va. Cav., is hereby announced as 



QUARTERMASTER DEPARTMENT. 123 

acting assistant quartermaster of this brigade, and will be obeyed and respected 
accordingly. 

By order of Lt. Col. F. W. Thompson, Commanding. 
J. W. Care, A. A. A. G. 



Hdqrs. Fourth Div., Dept. of W. Va., Martinsburg, W. Va., March 15, 1864. 
Lt. a. J. Pentecost, R. Q. M. Fifth \V Va. Cav: 

This command will at once be put in condition to take the field, The officers' bag- 
gage and the men's kits will be kept packed when not in use, Arms, ammunition and 
equipments to be kept in good order. Three days' rations and one day's forage will 
be kept in possession of the troops. Surplus equipage, arms and stores of all kinds, 
excepting tents, will be immediately packed and held in readiness for transportation, 
and proper reports will be made to the A. y. M., to inform him full)- upon all matters 
in his department. Condemned harness will be turned over to the A. Q. M, Regi- 
mental drills will be faithfully carried on, and all officers and men must be constantly 
in fighting condition. 

By command Brig, Gen. W. W, Averell. 

Will I^umsey, A. A. G. 



Hdqrs. Fifth W. Va. Cavalry, Patterson's Creek, W. Va., March 22, 1864. 
Spt-liul Or(L-r, A'o. 10: 

Lieut. A. J, Pentecost, R. Q. M., 5th W. Va. Cav., is hereby authorized to issue 
orders on the B. & O. R. R. company, for transportation from Patterson's creek 
station, \V. Va. 

By command of Col. Geo. R. Latham. 
J. CoMDs, ist Lieut, and Afljutant, 

Our irij) bv railroad and steamboat from Patterson Creek to Charles- 
ton was without accident or anything of interest to the reader. From 
here we went to Dublin Depot and fought the battle of Cloyd Mountain, 
•under command of Maj. (icn. Ceorge Crook, in which we were victori- 
ous. We then returned to the Kanawha valley and from there continued 
our march to AN'heeling. 

June 14, 1S64, our term having expired, we were mustered out at 
AVheeling. There was much excitement and s(jme funny things occurred. 
1 remember, as 1 was standing in front of a hotel, on Water street, gaz- 
ing at the ])edestrians, a number of them gave me the regular military 
salute. I was much jju/zled o'.'cr it for some time, but finally discovered 
the cause. The boys were being paid off, and as soon as they received 
their money they cast aside their uniform and dressed in citizen's clothes. 
This made such a change that I failed to recognize them. 

In closing this paper, I wish to express my appreciation of the service 
of my commissary and cpiartermaster sergeants, who were capable and 
true in their work and animated by the highest sense of duty for their 
country. They did their whole <luty, as soldiers, and when they retired 
to private life became citizens of which any country might well be proud. 
The country owes a debt of gratitude to them for their faithfid service, 
and 1 recall their devotion to duty as one of the most pleasant recollec- 
tions of my service. Mv clerk, Thomas S. Kichbaum, was efficient and 
attended to his duties with marked ability." 




CHAPTER V. 

THE CHAPLAIN AND HIS WORK. 

ELIGION and war, though at variance in principle, were closely 
associated in the War of the Rebellion, perhaps more so than in 
any war of modern times. While it was the function of 
the latter to kill and destroy, it was the duty and work of the former to 
minister to the wounded and care for the dead, though the fallen ones 
may have been foes in the conflict. How it may have been in other 
regiments the writer cannot say, but in our favored command there was 
no officer who did his duty more faithfully than the Chaplain, and no 
department of the military life that was more vigorous and useful. Rev. 
J. W. W. Bolton was the chaplain of our regiment in the whole of its 
service, so that he and his work were one, and so inseparabl)' connected 
that a description of the work is a sketch of the noble officer who liad 
charge of it. 

Rev. James W. W. Bolton, D. D., M. 1)., was born November 7, 1834, 
in Harrison county, Va., (now W. Va.) He is a son of John and Sarah 
I. Bolton — the father a native of Rockingham county, Va., and the 
mother of Franklin county. Pa. His paternal grandfather, Abraham 
Bolton, served in the war of 181 2, and his maternal grandfather, James 
O'Hanlon, served throughout the Revolutionary war, under Gen. George 
Washington. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm, in 
Tyler county, Va., now Pleasants county, W. Va., near the town of Heb- 
ron, and received such schooling as the times afforded, being a close 
student from his early boyhood. His parents taught him from child- 
hood, by precept and example, the importance and obligations of the 
Christian religion. He was industrious, and obedient to his parents. 
The books that most deeply interested his young mind were the Bible 
and the life of George Washington. He had a great desire to acquire 
knowledge, and made rapid progress in his studies, having an excellent 
memory. While a boy he often committed to memory, during the week, 
a chapter, and sometimes more, of the New Testament, and recited the 
same at Sunday-school. As he grew up he often engaged in debates, in 





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REV. JAS. W. W. BOLTON, D. D., M. D. 



CHAPLAIN AND HIS WORK. 125 

societies for that purpose, in his neighborhood and the surrounding 
country. He delivered his first Fourth of July oration in 1848. He 
united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Hebron, in 1854, under 
the ministry of Rev. John B. Hill, now of the Iowa Conference, and 
was by him licensed to exhort in 1S55. He was licensed to preach, in 
1856, by Rev. A. J. Lyda, D. I)., then Presiding Elder of the Parkers- 
burg District, by order and in behalf of a Quarterly Conference of the 
Harrisville Circuit. He was engaged in teaching in Virginia and Ohio 
from 1854 to 1857, and was admitted to the Western Virginia Con- 
ference of the M. E. Church (now the West Virginia Conference) in 
the spring of 1857. His first appointment was the Williamstown Cir- 
cuit, his colleague being Rev. James W. Latham, brother of Col. George 
R. Latham. This circuit embraced fifteen appointments which were 
met by each preacher once every four weeks. In 1858 and 1859 he had 
charge of the Murrayville Circuit. In December, 1858, he engaged in a 
four days' theological debate, at Belleville, Va., which gave him a great 
reputation as a polemic ; and the debate was a very useful one to the 
Church. He was ordained Deacon in April, 1859, by Bishop Thomas 
A. Morris, at Parkersburg, Va. In 1S60 he was stationed at Weston. 
He was ordained l^^lder in March, 1S61, by Bishop Osmon C. Baker, at 
Wheeling, Va. 

From the firing on Fort Sumpter to July, 186 1, Dr. Bolton was active 
in preaching, making union speeches, in flag raisings, and in the organ- 
ization of the Home Guard at Hebron. This was an important work, 
resulting in great and lasting good to that section, and to the state. The 
union men were in constant peril, and sacrificed and endured much for 
their country, a service that cannot be fully appreciated except by those 
intimately acquainted with it. On July 4, 1 861, he delivered an oration 
at a celebration at Hebron, and the next day went to Clarksburg, Va., 
where he preached to that part of the Second Virginia Volunteer Infan- 
try Regiment remaining there after July 5th. He was appointed chap- 
lain, and ordered by Colonel John W. Moss to join the regiment being 
concentrated at Beverly, Va., which he did on August 2, 1861, and was 
commissioned chaplain of the Second Regiment Virginia Volunteer In- 
fantry, and at once entered on his duties. During the encampment at 
Beverly, the regiment had no stated place of worship, but frequent ser- 
vices were held in the open air. The first service was held there on 
Sunday evening, August 4, 1861, when the regiment was gathered in 
front of the colonel's tent. The chaplain introduced the services by 
reading the hymn, the first stanza of which is as follows : 

"How sweet the name of Jesus sounds 

In a believer's ear ! 
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, 

And drives away his fear." 

After the singing of the hymn, he offered a fervent prayen He then 



1 2 6 CHA PL A IN A ND HTS U'OR K. 

announced as the text, the followini;: ••'riierefore if any man be in 
Christ, he is a new creature: old things arc jjassed away; behoUi, all 
things are become new." 2 ('orinthians, 5th chapter, 17th verse. It 
was a beautiful evening, and there was a hush and tjuiet not usual in a 
military camp. The men not long from home, with its priceless bless- 
ings yet fresh in their minds, felt the solemnity and sacredncss of the 
hour: and there were but few that were not touched by this new phase 
of service as soldiers. The sermon was clear, forcible and eloquent. 
The greatest interest was manifested by all, and the service, so sacred 
and beautiful, was of great benefit to the men, who evidently greatly 
appreciated it. 

During the stay of the regiment at Beverly, the chaplain was busy vis- 
iting the sick, burying the dead, and administering to the men ; and the 
services were very laborious. At I'^lkwater frecpient services were held, 
and of necessity all were out of doors. The regiment had no buildings 
until near the close of our stay there, when some small ones were erected 
for winter cpiarters, and during the stormy months there the open air 
was the only tabernacle. One of these services will be remembered, 
held near the breastworks, when the chaplain used one of the cannons for 
his desk, on which he laid his books. He preached witli his usual spirit 
and fervor, and while the sermon was in progress a heavy snow storm 
swept down the valley. The cha])lain was not in the least discomfited, 
but continued the services, the men remaining with him to the last. As 
they had not been in the habit of tleeing from the enemy, they refused 
to be driven back by the elements. When the exhausting and dangerous 
raid, beginning December 31, was made to Huntersville, the chajjlain 
went along, and was in the front, exposed to the dangers of the trip, and 
deported himself with true soldierly bearing, setting a worthy example of 
bravery and cheerful endurance. The next three months, January to 
. April, 1862, were passed on Cheat Mountain Summit. Here the chap- 
lain rendered a service that was of great value to the men. Very little 
preaching could be done, except in the company cjuarters, where occa- 
sionally the men were treated to a discourse of great power. The most 
of the religious work was done in a quiet way in the organization of 
Bible classes in most of the companies, which were attended by many 
bright minds, and the discussions that followed the truths brought out, 
were of incalculable value to all who took part. Preaching cnit of doors 
was impossible. Snow storms, heavy drifts, furious winds, and a gen- 
eral warfare of the elements prevented service of that kind. To attempt 
it was for the preacher to invite a tornado to catch his breath and fill 
his mouth with snow. But the debates, the sharp criticisms and the 
close study of the Bible laid the foundation for good and successful 
work afterward. On the 2 2d of February, when the anniversary of 
Washington's birthday was celebrated, the elements harmonized with 
the occasion, and much and good oratory from Col. Moss and Surgeon 



CHAPLAIN AND HIS WORK. 127 

Hazlett followed. The exercises of the day were appropriately opened 
by the chaplain, who devoutly invoked the Divine blessing. 

Then followed the active and perilous campaign of the Mountain 
Dei)artmcnt. The troops were almost constantly in motion, but relig- 
ious services were not omitted on that account. At Monterey, Mc- 
Dowell and Franklin meetings were frequently held, generally out of 
doors, though the weather at times was very rough. At the battle of 
McDowell, May 8, 1862, the chaplain asked and obtained permission 
to join our forces on the mountain, that were fighting so furiously, and 
kept to the front, rendering what service he could. The campaign up 
the valley followed, the battle of Cross Keys was fought, and in the 
latter part of June the brigade was in camp at Strasburg, getting ready 
for another and more severe campaign. On the 4th of July, Gen. 
Milroy had a brigade meeting to celebrate the day, on which occasion 
he made a speech to his admiring and delightetl men, who came about 
as near idolizing him as ever men did a brigade commander. The 
general made a special request that Chaplain Bolton should open the 
services with prayer, which he accordingly did. The general had great 
confidence in the chaplain, and lost no opportunity of showing it. 
Preaching services were held whenever practicable, and with our chap- 
lain that meant when it was not impossible. In the Pope campaign, 
and until the order to return to Western Virginia, religious services were 
held as frccpiently as possible. After crossing the Blue Ridge, and 
while ill canqi at Woodville, the chaplain preached to the regiment, and 
omitted notliing that could be done for the spiritual benefit of the men. 
At Cedar Mountain, the day after the big fight, and while our forces 
were yet contending, services were held, the bullets coming uncomfort- 
ably near the improvised pulpit, but not interrupting the services. In 
the exciting campaign that followed, services were held as often as cir- 
cumstances permitted, but there was very little time, for some days, for 
anything but fighting. After the retreat to Washington, while lying in 
the defences at that city, regular services were held for the remnant left 
of the regiment, and continued until the order came for our return to 
Western Virginia. 

Upon our return to Beverly, we were again in position to hold regular 
religious services. The Presbyte;.-ian Church had been used by the 
quartermaster department, and the seats were all gone and the building 
in very l)ad condition. The chaplain asked permission of the trustees 
to use the building for religious services, which was cheerfully granted. 
He then called for volunteers to put the church in proper condition, 
when men of all the trades needed offered their services, and seats were 
made, flues built, and the house was thoroughly cleaned and everything 
l)Ut in gcjod shape for occupancy. The church was opened with Thanks- 
giving services in November, and used until we were compelled to leave 
in April, 1863. A protracted meeting was held lasting about two 



128 CHAPLAIN AND HIS WORK. 

months, during whicli Chaplain Bolton did all the preaching, except 
two or three sermons by a Presbyterian preacher. The revival was one 
of great power, deep and lasting in its work, resulting in about fifty con- 
versions, and the strengthening of many believers. Many who gave 
their hearts to God in this meeting, afterwards fell in battle, and they 
died as true soldiers of the cross, as well as of their country. The 
meetings were characterized by great power, with the choicest singing, 
the very best of order and the highest respect for the place ; and were 
attended by a fine, noble appearing class of men, who reverently took part 
in the services and helped materially in them. The church was packed, 
audience room and gallery, and there was preaching every night, and 
sometimes during the day. When the revival services were not in pro- 
gress, regular services were held on Sunday and prayer meetings during 
the week, which were attended by the soldiers and many citizens; among 
the latter Mrs. Arnold, the Bakers, Harts and others. After the retreat 
from Beverly, Thanksgiving and other services were held at Buckhannon. 
There were services in camp at New Creek, the latter part of Novem- 
ber, 1S63. During the series of raids by Gen. Averell, to January, 1S64, 
the chaplain was along doing whatever he could, ami always at the front, 
but there were but few public services. He helped the surgeons, prayed 
and talked with and cheered the men, and proved himself to be what he 
always was, a true, noble, brave man, ready for whatever duty fell to his 
hands. Our command lay in camp at Martinsburg, West Va. , over two 
months from January i, 1S64, one of the most trying places in its 
history. Here services were held regularly, and during the time a 
revival of great power was enjoyed. The meetings were held in the 
Lutheran Church, and were conducted by Chaplains Bolton, Osborn, 
14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and Pomeroy, iSth Comnecticut, and lasted 
about six weeks. Chaplain Bolton preached each alternate night. At 
first the singing did not go smoothly, and there was some concern about 
it. Chaplain Bolton took hold of it, and with his strong, musical voice 
started a familiar old Methodist hymn. That night a large number of 
his regiment was present, and the boys understood at once that they 
were to help, and scores of voices joined the chaplain's. The regiment 
had in it an unusual number of good singers, and when these grand 
voices joined in, there was no longer any doubt as to the singing. The 
charming old hymn was sung with a will, the church fairly ringing with 
the melody, to the great delight of C'haplain Pomeroy and the gallant 
Connecticut boys, who were evidently not used to such singing. It was 
a glorious series of meetings, and many were converted. Other services 
were also held. Chaplain Bolton went to Hcdgesville, where a portion 
of our regiment was in camp, among the number, Maj. Barclay, Lieut. 
Colmer and others, and preached one Sunday to them. The last ser- 
vices he held in the regiment, were at Charleston, in the Kanawha 
valley, before entering on the expedition that" led to Cloyd Mountain. 



CHAPLAIN AND HIS WORK. 129 

The duties of the chaplain were varied and many, and the office was 
not one of leisure, but of continual and severe work. In time of battle 
he was called to ministei to the wounded and dying, and in the hospitals 
to comfort the unfortunate inmates of both armies. He had particular- 
ly heavy duties at Second Bull Run and Rocky Gap. While at Wash- 
ington many days were spent in visiting the hospitals and ministering to 
the sick and wounded. Chaplain Bolton was severely wounded at the 
battle of Cloyd Mountain, Va., May 9, 1S64, being shot in the right 
ankle by a musket ball. He v/as taken to Charleston, West Va., on 
May 23, and remained there till June 15, when he was removed to the 
General Hospital at Parkersburg, West Va., where he entered June 17, 
1864. The trip from Cloyd Mountain to Charleston, in all 14 days, was 
very painful and exhausting. He was taken in ambulance, by way of 
Dublin Union, Meadow Bluffs, Sewell Mountains and Gauley bridge, to 
a point on the Great Kanawha river, about 20 miles above Charleston; 
and from that point by boat, to the last named place. The roads were 
very rough and mountainous. He was very much prostrated when he 
reached Charleston. From there he was taken by boat to Parkersburg. 
When he reached there he was very much reduced in health and strength, 
by reason of his wound. The Rev. Thomas H. Monroe, of the West 
Virginia Conference of the M. E. Church, was the chaplain of the hos- 
pital. While there Chaplain Bolton sometimes preached to the boys, 
but he had to sit down while preaching. Soon after he was able to sit 
up, he was invited by Chaplain Monroe and others to preach. All were 
anxious to hear the wounded chaplain. It was arranged for him to 
preach on Sunday evening, about the first of September. When the 
hour came, some of the boys placed him in an armchair and carried him 
into the chapel, which was filled to overflowing with brave soldiers, who 
had experienced hard service in the army and had stood in the front of 
battle, but who, on account of wounds or diseases were then inmates of 
the hospital. In the congregation were some who had heard him preach 
when he was strong and could stand. Although he was weak and in 
pain, he preached to the great delight and edification of the audience. 
The Lord helped him, and Chaplain Monroe and the brave soldiers en- 
couraged him with their sympathies and prayers. The audience was 
very much affected. Brave men wept while he preached. The ball was 
extracted from the wound on February 3, 1865, by Surgeon W. A. 
Banks, U. S. A., assisted by Drs. C. D. Safford and J. C. Clemmer. 
The o])eration was difficult and painful, but the brave chaplain endured 
it like a hero. He was discharged from the hospital at Parkersburg on 
March 21, 1865, and was mustered out of the service March 24, 1865, 
at Wheeling, West Va. He suffered intense pain, and the wound has 
greatly hurt him ever since, making him very much of a cripple for life. 
He was appointed by Bishop E. S. Janes, in March, 1865, to Ellen- 
boro and Harrisville, an appointment made by the kind Bishop for the 



i;,o CHAPLAIN AND HIS WORK. 

sjjccial benefit of the lieroic rlia])lain, as he had attended to his minis- 
terial duties on crutches, lie entered on the duties of the char[;e on 
the first of April, thouLj;h weak and sufferint^. He had to be hel])ed on 
his horse to ride to his appointments. He used his crutches for months 
after being mustered out of the service, and has had to use a stout cane 
from that time on. Until the spring of 1885, the wound continued to 
break (jut, at intervals, and discharge ])ieces of bone ; and since that 
time there have been, at times, indications of re-opening of the wound. 
He is never free from pain, and at times suffers greatly from the wound. 
He may yet have to undergo amputation of the wounded limb. In 1866, 
he was appointed to l'"airmont Station, where he did good service for 
the church, although suffering daily in consecjuence of his wound. 
Having studied medicine, he entered on the practice of the same in the 
spring of 1867, and continued the practice until the summer 
of 1S70. He had charge of the Sistersville circuit in 1S69- 70. 
In 1S71 he was stationed at Parkersburg, remaining thereuntil 1874. 
While he was there a fine church and parsonage were built. In the 
sj)ring of 1874 he was appointed Presiding I'>lder of the ("larksburg dis- 
trict, and remained until the fall of 1877, the time of the C-onference 
having been changed from spring to fall. He was then appointed Pre- 
siding Elder of the Morgantown district, and served till the fall of 18S1. 
He was elected delegate to the Oeneral ('onference in 1876, and served 
on the C'ommittees on Episcopacy and Revisals, and particijjated in the 
debates of the Conference. He was a])pointed on the Publishing Com- 
mittee of the Pittsburgh Christian Advocate, to serve from 1876 to i';8o. 
On account of the severity of his wound. Dr. Polton was compelled to 
take a sui)ernumerary relation from 186710 1869, also from 1881 to 
1885, and from 1888 to 1889, though often preaching while in this rela- 
tion. 

In 188 1 his wound opened, causing great ])ain and discharging ])ieces 
of bone. He then concluded to attend medical lectures, which he did 
at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Md., in the fall and winter of 
1881, thespringof 1882, and the fallaud winter of 1882, and he wasgradu- 
ated in March, 1883, with the degree of M. I)., and was authorized to 
practice in West Virginia by the State P>oard of Health, and then re- 
sumed the practice of medicine, continuing in the same till the fall of 
1885, when he again entered the active work of the ministry, and was 
appointed to Short Creek and Liberty, 1885 to 18S7. In the fall of 
1887 he was ajjpointed to Oakland, Md., and to l^'airmont Station in 
1889. In the year 1879, he was honored with the degree of I). I\, by 
Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa. 

Dr. P>olton was married on Sejjtember 26, 1865, to Miss I'^unice C. 
Buckley, daughter of Harrison W. and I'^liza J. liuckley, near Worthing- 
ton, Marion county, W. Va. , by Rev. A. J. Lyda, I). D., then presiding 
elder of the Clarksburg district. The parents of both Dr. Bolton and 



CHA PL A IN A ND HIS J VORK. 1 3 1 

wife were strong union people, together witli their families, and endured 
much for their countr\'. It was at times at tlie peril of their lives that 
they maintained and ex|)ressed their loyalty to the old flag and the union, 
but they never wavered, for a moment, in their duty. They were active 
in every possible way to helj) maintain the union, and ditl their full share 
in stemming the tide of disunicm that threatened at one time to over- 
whelm Western Virginia. It was owing to loyal people like these, that 
this noble young state threw off the shackles of the pro-slavery power, 
and emphatically and early tleclaretl for the union. Too nuich honor 
canncjt be awarded them for their patriotic and brave services. Dr. 
Bolton is a man (jf strong intellect, highly educated, of a high order of 
ability, and an accomplished gentleman. He has been a very useful 
man in his conference. He showed signal ability as a presiding elder. 
He has succeeded well in all departments of ministerial work. Since 
the war he has often been called on to dedicate churches, and in that 
work he has always succeeded grandly. He commands large congrega- 
tions; and those who hear him once, desire to hear him again. He is 
most loved and respected by those who know him l)est and have been 
longest acquainted with him. He is often requested to preach funeral 
sermons in memory of old friends in the ccnmtry where he was brought 
up, and elsewhere. On these occasions vast crowds of people, old and 
young, come to hear him. He is also often called on to deliver lectures 
and addresses on si)ecial occasions and select subjects. He has been 
frequently called on to ])reach the annual sermon in memory of our 
deceased soldiers, and to deliver tlie address on Decoration day. He 
at one time read quite an extensive course in law, though not with the 
intention of practicing the profession of law. He is well informed in 
medicine, theology, the sciences, and general literature. He is a skill- 
ful ])hysician and an able minister. He has a good knowledge of the 
dead languages, and reads, with facility, the ISible in the original 
tongues. He has a kind heart and is very benevolent to the needy. He is a 
man of strong convictions, and has the courage to avow and follow them. 
He was chosen cha])lain of the .Society of the Army of \Vest Virginia 
in icSSo, 1S87 and 18S9. The late General George Crook was President 
of the Society of the Army of West Virginia at the time of his death. 
He and the Chaplain were very warm friends. When General (!rook 
was buried at Oakland, Md., (Chaplain Bolton attended and participated 
in the services. The present year (1S90) is one of the most successful 
in his ministry. During the past winter lie conducted revival services 
in Fairmont, with great success. The church there is in a very prosper- 
ous condition, and is increasing in numbers and spirituality. He is 
much loved and admired by the people of his charge, and he recipro- 
cates their affection. The relations of pastor and people are mutually 
pleasant. Dr. I>olton is a true friend of the old soldiers, and is warmly 
attached to the members of his regiment. 



CHAPTKR VI. 

IN CAMI' AT BEVERLY, 1861. 

HE demoralized remnants of Pegram's and Garnett's commands 
were hovering around our lines, bushwhacking our supply trains 
and scouting parties. 'I'he three months volunteers had cleared 
the field from the Ohio river to I'^lkwater and Cheat Mountain Summit, 
and ours was the army of occupation; but these fragments of a proud 
army organized themselves into predatory bands, with the view of prey- 
ing on the tempting booty of government stores that every day lined the 
Staunton pike from Webster to Cheat Mountain, a distance of 67 miles. 
To protect onr lines and the government property, scouting parties were 
frecjuently sent out to break uj) the bands of bushwhackers. Soon after 
our arrival at Beverly, Lieut. Devore, of Company I, and Lieut. Smythe, 
of Company F, were ordered out with a squad, to look after some of 
these bushwhackers, in the direction of Carrick's Ford. They returned 
the same day, and after taking a hasty supper, Lieut. Devore was again 
sent out with twenty of his own men, to intercept a confederate mail 
carrier. The detachment lay out all night, watching a bridle i)ath on 
the side of Cheat Mountain. It was a dark, dreary night, and the pelt- 
ing rain fell without cessation, making the situation an exceedingly un- 
comfortable one. The party returned to camp in the morning without 
any knowledge of the mail carrier, but with the proud consciousness of 
having done some severe duty. 

On the 1 8th of August, a detachment of the Second Virginia and Sixth 
Ohio, numbering 50 men, was sent to the Laurel fork of the Cheat river. 
They followed an old road across Shaffer Mountain, and as they ap- 
proached the river the road became very marshy, and the heavy pines 
and thick laurels stood like a wall on either side of the road. A body 
of the enemy lay in ambush on the opposite side of the narrow stream, 
and as our party were wading through the water, unconscious of a foe in 
such close proximity, they were startled by the sharp report of a rifle, 
followed quickly by another and another, and two of the party lay dead 



BEVERLY, 1861. 133 

and one other mortally wounded. The detachment was helpless, the 
enemy being secure amid the dense laurel thickets, which were so thick 
that man or beast could be so completely hidden in them that no eye 
could detect their presence, while our forces were open to their view, 
and closely within the range of their muskets. Resistance was useless, 
and our men hastily retreated through the narrow defile. Hurriedly 
gathering up the dead and the wounded, they retraced their steps as 
rapidly as possible, carrying the wounded man to a rude cabin on Shaffer 
mountain, where they were obliged to leave him, while they tenderly 
wrapped the bodies of their dead comrades in their blankets and buried 
them in the mountain. When they returned to camp, the report of their 
expedition created a great excitement, and Col. Balsley, in command of 
the post, immediately ordered out a detachment of one hundred men 
from each of the two regiments, under command of Maj. J. D. Owens, 
of the Second Virginia. They found the wounded man, and upon arriv- 
ing at the place where the other party had met such disaster, they were 
also fired into, but fortunately no one was hurt, and the command pro- 
ceeded across Cheat and Shaffer mountains to the foot of the Alleghenies. 
After emptying their rifles this time, the bushwhackers fled, leaving their 
horses and saddles, which were captured by our men. To provide 
against surprise and andjushes, Lieut. Devore was directed at one place 
to take twenty men and go around a foot hill and fall in with the advance 
guard on the other side. The advance had not been apprised of this 
movement, and as the squad was approaching the road through the un- 
derbrush, the bullets of the advance began to whistle around their ears, 
much to their discomfort, but the mistake was fortunately discovered 
before any damage was done. At the foot of Shaffer mountain, two of 
Company I being in the advance, created quite an alarm by shooting 
two fat sheep, but before the rear could come up on a double quick, the 
sheep were skinned. This was a flagrant breach of orders, but the 
officers were pacified and a general compromise effected, by building a 
fire and cooking the mutton, which afforded a rare feast. On the third 
day the detachment returned to camp, having traveled almost uninter- 
ruptedly more than one hundred miles. 

The scouting, and sentinel duty, were necessarily very heavy, and the 
new soldiers were soon inured to the hardships and privations that were 
afterward to be a part of their every day life. The discipline was rigid, 
and whenever the rain would permit, the troops were thoroughly drilled 
in the manual of arms, and in company and regimental evolutions. 
Everything that went to make up the soldier's life was experienced, and 
nothing was omitted that would fit the troops for the stern realities of 
war, that came to us shortly afterward. Pages could be written of the 
pleasant scenes, the hours of relaxation and enjoyment, that came to 
brighten the soldier's life; and the weeks at Beverly had many bright 
spots and hours. The lack of veneration for officers in high command. 



134 BEVERLY, 1861. 

coupled with tlic cnntroling desire to serve faithful!)- our countr}', led to 
many absurd and ludicrous situations. AVhilc the colonel or the captain 
might still be John or Jim in tlie affections and expressions of the men. 
yet an order in the line of dutv from these same officers, woidd be car- 
ried out reLfardless of results. 

Jack Halpin, of Conipan\- 1), was well known throui^hout the regi- 
ment. He was from the l''i\e Points. X. \'., and was a "case," yet 
good hearted and obliging. Just after the battle (jf Ivich Mountain, 
Jack jjaid a \isit to the village, and wldle on his wa\' back to cam]), 
saw an indixddual who wore a slouch hat, and who ])idled from his pocket 
a large ping of tobacco and took a cliew. The command had iecei\ed 
no pay as yet, and the men were run down financiall)'. so th.at tobacco 
was one of the lu.xuries. jack thought he would imj)ro\e the oppor- 
tunity, so he stepijed up to the stranger, and said: "('ii\e us a cliew, 
Cap." The individual addressed looked Jack o\er and re])lied. "1 guess 
nt)t." The crushing rei)lv of Jack was. "Cio to the D — 1." and he went 
on his way to camj). Shortl)' afterward, there was a rush to the road on 
the side of the camp, to see some one })ass. and among those that went 
over was Jack. The person i)assing was (General Rosecranz, who hap- 
pened to be the same ])erson that refused Jack a chew of his tobacco. 
Jack related what had hapjiened. and quietl}' remarked that he would 
get even. That night Jack was detailed on guard dut\-. 'i'he counter- 
sign had just been issued, wlien a liorseman came dasliing through the 
darkness \\y to the i)Ost where jack was stationed. The night was a 
beastl)- one, the rain falling in torrents, and the mud ankle deep. Jack 
halted the horseman and ordered him to dismount, and advance with 
the countersign. (leneral Rosecran/.. for it was h.e. told Jack who he 
was, and said that the mud was so deej) that he would lide u]) and give 
him the countersign. Hut jack knew liis business, and here was his op- 
portunity to get even, si) he said, "(ictofl that horse and come forward, 
or I will i)ut a hole through you." Jack didn't get his chew wlien he 
wanted it, but the general was nearh' swamped in the mud befoie he 
was permitted to pass. 

Every road and ])at]i liad its picket, and the camjis were .strict!} 
guarded. It was while tlie guards were under tlie most stringent orders 
to pass no one at night without the countersign, tliat the biter was bit, 
or, in other words, that Col. Ralsle)' was subjected to an exceeding!)' 
practical joke, if such it was. Aljout two miles from town, on the road 
that passes from Reverlx' o\-er Rich mountain to Ihickhannon. tliere was 
a ta\'ern kept bv a Mr. Raker, wlio. !>)■ the way. was a good union man. 
and kept everything in first-class order. d'liere was a ])ickel on llie 
bridge that spans the river close to Ke\-erly on this load. ( )ne after- 
noon. Col. Balsley, with his staff, crossed the bridge and rode out to the 
tavern. Here the\' dined and were detained until after dark. The 
officer of the da)- had matle his rounds, and the pickets made ac(pu;inted 



BEVERLY. 1 86 1. 135 

with the countersign. Night had fully set in and it was as dark as erebns. 
Charley Hixenbaugh, of Company I, was on ]:)Ost at the bridge, and was 
on the alert for anything in his line of duty. Presentl)- he heard the 
clatter of horses' hoofs. Near and nearer they came, when, ringing out 
sharp and clear on the night air, was heard the voice of the faithful 
sentinel : 

"Halt! who comes there?" 

The answer was immediate: 

"Col. Balsley and staff." 

"Dismount one, advance, and give the countersign," demanded the 
sentinel. 

"Well, but we haven't the countersign," said the colonel; "my name 
is Col. Balsley, commander of this post." 

"Don't care a d — n," said Charley; " my name is Charley Hixen- 
baugh, of Ijellevernon, and you can't pass;" and there the l!elle\ernon 
boy held the colonel until the arrival of the sergeant of the guard, who 
decitled that the colonel and his belated escort might pass into town. 

Shortly after entering the service. Dr. Hazlett was temporarily pro- 
moted to the position of brigade surgeon, and when new recruits with 
their medical officers arrived, it was his duty to instruct the latter how 

to jjroceed. Surgeon A., of the Cawalry, had come, more 

splendidly arrayed than Solomon, elegantly uniformed, sword and sash, 
military hat and jdume, gauntlet glo\es, etc. Calling at the surgeon's 
head(piarters, which were at the foot of a tree, lie inquired how he was 
to obtain medical supplies for his battalion. Being informed that they 
would be forthcoming upon a recpiisition, he desired to know what that 
was. \\'hen enlightened, he incpiired where he could jjrocure an ambu- 
lance. The answer to that was by a requisition ujion the quarter- 
master. " But," he replied, "we have no quartermaster;" and before 
time was given to answer him, he struck an altitude and said, "I have it, 
r II make a rcqiiisitiov for a quartcniiastcr.,'" ^w\ oft he strutted. Sur- 
geon Hazlett met him some time afterward, sword, sash, hat and plume 
gone, unkempt and unshaven, his whole outfit would not ha\e brought 
75 cents. The surgeon drily remarked in regard to it: "In his dilapi- 
dated state, I had not the heart to ask him about the requisition, but 
mostly for the reason if I had done so, he would have trounced me." 

When the regiment went to Elkwater, a few of the men were left be- 
hind to guard the post. S. J. Clendaniel relates an incident that shows 
their fidelity, if not their sagacity, as soldiers. Capt. Otto was in com- 
mand, things began to look dangerous, and orders were very strict. 
One night a picket shot was heard, and the posts all fired in turn, creat- 
ing consternation in the camp. The guards were ordered to fire at any- 
thing they saw move, and they carried out orders to the letter. Cieo. 
McCloy, of Company F, was i)osted beyond the Methodist Church near 
the river, when he was discovered b}' the bridge guard, who opened fire 



136 BEVERLY, 1861. 

upon him. McCloy returned the compliment, and the firini,' became 
general throughout the camp. Capt. Otto came to the rescue and 
saved bloodshed between the contending forces. He double quicked 
his men down to the Court House, followed the road some distance, 
when bang went a gun, and a regular fusilade followed. It looked as if 
a real fight was now on the hands of the boys, and they were ordered to 
fall back to the jail. The ofticer in command there incjuired the cause 
of the firing. The ca])tain slated some one had discovered a black 
stump and fired ujjon it. creating an alarm that almost resulted seriously. 
The same night Clendaniel's gun went off accidentally, the bullet almost 
hitting a drill master who was near, lodging in the weather boariling 
just over his head. It was an eventful night of alarms, but fortunately 
no one was hurt. P.ut the awkward recruits of lieverly, soon learned 
better the arts of war, and in after days were as efficient as they were 
brave and true. 

During August thetroopsat Beverly suffered severely from tyjjhoid fever, 
dysentery and diarrh(ea, and many of them will remember with gratitude 
all their lives the kind words, the careful attention and the refreshing 
delicacies from the good women of that town. One in particular de- 
serves honorable mention. Mrs. Jonathan Arnold, a sister of the con- 
federate Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson, who was lavish in her offices of 
kindness. Her fragile form was almost ubiquitous in the hosjjitals, and 
with her own tender hands she soothed the aching temples of many a 
dying soldier boy, far away from the loved ones at home. She was as 
an angel of mercy among the sick, and did all in her ])ower to render 
less arduous and irksome the lives of the country's defenders. She was 
ardently attached to the union cause, notwithstanding the devotion of 
her distinguished brother, and other relatives, including her husband, to 
the confederate cause. Of this noble woman, Dr. Ilazlett, surgeon of 
the regiment, speaks in the most glowing terms. He was in position to 
see her work of love, and says : "Many incidents of her loyalty and 
courage are personally known to the writer. Almost alone, amidst a 
disloyal community, she unfiinchingly declared her devotion to the flag, 
not only by word but act. Her house was an asylum for the sick soldier, 
and faithfully she ministered to his Avants. Her resources were often 
taxed to their utmost, and man)- were her regrets that she was unable to 
do greater good. On more than one occasion have I f(Mind her the sole 
watcher at the bedside of a disabled soldier. We ha\'e never heard that 
she received one farthing from the go\ernmcnt, lor her generous and 
loyal outlay, and have reason to believe that she ne\'er made ap])lication ; 
but if there is one deserving soul in tb.e great arm}- of [)atriots that 
merits special recognition at the hands of the republic, it is Mrs. Jona- 
than Arnold." 



CHAPTER VII. 



RELIEF OF CHEAT MOUNTAIN. 



command of the "Army of 



/ ^ 1':N. R. E. EEE was now ... „,,. ^ ^. 

\I"'Y^ Northern Virginia," advancing to retrieve the losses of Gens. 

^». — i — '—"^"mm^ I'doyd and Wise. The predatory bands were called 
from their fastnesses in the mountains of Western Virginia, and reorgan- 
ized with large additions at Staunton and Eynchburg. Having fully com- 
pleted his arrangements, early in September Lee ordered the advance 
with ii,ooomen. Ashe approached Cheat Mountain he divided his 
forces into two columns, sending one along the Staunton pike to at- 
tack Col. Kimball, of the 14th Indiana, with his 300 men on the summit 
of the mountain, and leading the other in person by the Huntersville 
road toward I'^lkwater. His object was to get to the left and rear of 
the latter post. P'our companies of Indiana troops, however, held the 
whole force in check, and forced them to the rear and right of Cheat 
Mountain, completely hemming in the 300 who held the summit. 
This event was sprung so suddenly and unexpectedly upon Reynolds' 
outposts, that the only wonder is tliat they were not captured without 
firing a gun. I'ut the word surrender was not in the vocabulary of the 
beleaguered Indiana boys, who stood firm to their posts and held the at- 
tacking troops completely at bay until relief came to them. 

On the 1 2th of September, the Second Virginia and Sixth Ohio In- 
fantry, were ordered up from Beverly on a forced march, starting at 3 
o'clock in the afternoon, leaving behind a small detachment of the Second 
for camp and garrison duty at Beverly. 

The regiments arrrived at Huttonville after dark, and waited there 
long enough to take a good rest, when they pushed rapidly on to Elk- 
water. The mud was fearful, being in many j)laces axle deep, rendering 
travel hard and difficult. The march from Huttonville was through in- 
tense darkness, rendered tloubly so by the lowering clouds, the lofty 
mountains about us, and tlie thick forests of pine that stood like black- 
ened walls on either side the column. As we marched along, ever and 



1 3 8 REL lEF OF CHE A T MO UNTA IN. 

anon woukl be heard a smothered exclamalion from some comrade, whose 
fool liad haplessly caught in a root or laurel bush, tripiiiny him and 
sending him headlong into the abyss of mire. It was fun for the rest of 
the comrades, but a very grave matter for the mud bespattered boy. 
Thus we marched for twelve weary miles, but the men stood it bravely, 
the cheering jjrosj^ects of a brush with the enemy banishing all gruud)ling 
and discontent. We made no secret of our march. The shouts of the 
teamsters as they plunged along through the mud ; the shouts of laughter 
when some comrade met a muddy fate, commingled with the war \vh(jo])s 
of the men and the loud commands of the ofticers, reached llie ears of 
the rebel force that lay along the base of the mountain on the op|)osite 
side of the valle}' through which the narrow river ran, striking them with 
terror, and no doubt aiding in inducing them to abandon their contem- 
])lated cajjture of the gallant 300 men on the summit of Cheat mountain, 
who were now completely surrounded. The two regiments arrived at 
Elkwater about midnight, having marched twenty-five miles in less than 
nine hours. They were greeted with loud cheers by the small garrison 
at I'Hkwater, and the tired and mud-covered troops soon found repose 
on the wet ground where, without shelter, they sle])t till the rc'i'cillc 
called them to duty. After i)artaking of a hasty and meagi"e breakfast, 
the Second Virginia and the Third Ohio, which took the place of the 
Sixth Ohio, started for the work that was before them — to help drive 
Lee's army of 11,000 back across Cheat ri\er, and thus relieve the little 
garrison on Cheat mountain. The Second Virginia, with Col. Moss at 
its head, was ordered to take the advance. The boys stri])ped for the 
fray, and arriving at the swollen ri\er, dashed through it waist dee]» 
with a cheerfulness that was ])rophetic of certain victory. The Third 
Ohio catching the inspiration, folktwetl with a bound, and the dripping 
column moved rapidly forward. 

The enemy had taken position on the side of a foot hill of Cheat 
mountain, his right resting at Becca creek, a small mountain stream 
running down a gulch in the mountain three or four miles from the sum- 
mit. The pickets at the base of the foot hill were soon disco\ere(l, but 
taking alarm at the bold front of the advancing column, they fled to 
their camp and gave the alarm. The two regiments now came up on the 
double quick, charging over the rocks and through the bushes up the 
mountain, with the prospect of finding the enemy somewhere in line of 
battle; but in this they were disappointed, for they soon reached his 
camp, which was found to be deserted, and the morning meal of hot 
corn and coffee was left smoking by the lonesome looking camp fires. 
The troops picked up haversacks, guns, pistols, etc., besides nearly 700 
blankets, and took a hasty lunch of the hot corn and coffee. The enemy 
continued his flight with such celerity that pursuit from that point was 
deemed useless, and Gen. Reynolds gave orders to hold the position at 
all hazards, as that was the key to the camp on the summit. The enemy's 



REL lEF OF CHE A T MO UNTA IN. 1 3 9 

line had extended along the base of the mountain, a distance of some 
four miles south of Becca creek, and jjarallel with the ri\-cr, his left rest- 
ing a short distance above the mouth of IClkwater : and while the stirring 
events referred to were occurring, Lee's forces made an attack on Rey- 
nolds at Elkwater, but were repulsed, and he hastily fell back and took 
position above the mouth of the creek. The next day, rallying his dis- 
heartened army, he made another desperate effort to carry our position 
at Elkwater, and simultaneously made an attack on Cheat river l)ridge, 
but was again repulsed with a severe loss, and retreated ten miles. 

In the memoirs of Gen. Robert K. Lee, pages 122 to 126, an account 
is given of this campaign, as follows : 

The possession of the pass (Cheat mountain) was of great importance to the con- 
federates, as the Parkersburg turnpiice was the principal line over which operations 
could be successfully carried on in northwestern Virginia. " - - ■•'■ "•■' 

Early in September, Gen. H. K. Jackson reported to Gen. Loring that Col. Rust, 
Third Arkansas regiment, had made a reconnoisance to the rear of Cheat mountain 
pass, and had discovered a route, though difficult, by which infantry could be led. 
Soon after Col. Rust reported in person, and informed Gen. Lee of the practicability 
of reaching the rear of the enemy's position on Cheat mountain, from which a favor- 
al^le attack could be made. ••' "'•■ ■"■ * '•' '■' ••' "' ■'■ "■■ 

Another route was in the meantime discovered, leading along the western side of 
Cheat mountain, by which troops could be conducted lo a point on the Parkersburg 
turnpike about two miles below the federal position in tlic pass. This being the in- 
formation that Gen. Lee had been most desirous of obtaining, he determined to attack 
the enemy without further delay. The opposing forces at this time were about equal 
in numbers. Loring's force was now 6,000, Jackson's about 5,000 strong. Reynolds' 
force had been increased to about 11,000 men; of these, 2,000 were on Cheat moun- 
tain and about 5,000 in position on the Lewisburg road in front of Loring. The re- 
mainder of I'Jeynolds' force was held in reserve near the junction of the Parkersburg 
turnpike and the Lewisburg road. 

Lee determined to attack on the morning of the 12th of September. The plan was 
that Col. Rust should gain the rear of the federal position by early dawn and begin 
the attack. Gen. Anderson, with two Tennessee regiments from^ Loring's command, 
was to support him, while Jackson was to make a diversion in front. Cheat Moun- 
tain Pass being carried, Jackson with his v/hole force v/as to sweep down the moun- 
tain and fall upon the rear of the other federal position; Gen. Donaldson with two 
regiments was to gain a ia\'orable position for attacking the enemy on the Lewisburg 
road in flank or rear; and Loring was to advance by the main road on the federal 
front. In case of failure, Anderson and Donaldson were to rejoin Loring, and Rust 
was to find his way back to Jackson. The troops gained their designated positions 
with remarkable promptness and accuracy in point of time, considering the distance 
and the difficulties to be overcome. Col. Rust's attack en Cheat Mountain was to be 
the signal for the general advance of all the troops. It was anxiously expected from 
early dawn throughout the day. •■•' '••" •■" "'•' ■'■ * ••■ " * "" 

The Tennesseeans under Anderson became so impatient that they requested to be led 
to the attack without waiting for Rust, but Anderson thought that he must be governed 
by the letter of his instructions and declined granting the request of his men. "■•' '"■ ■ 
Anderson and Donaldson, finding that tlieir situation was becoming critical, being 
liable to discovery and between two superior forces, rejoined Loring on the 13th. On 
the same day Col. Rust reported in person his operations, which amounted to this: 
He had heard nothing of Anderson; he passed the day watching the federals, who 



1 40 RE L lEF OF CUBA T MO UNTA IN. 

were in a stale of unconscions securit}-, and then retired, his presence not havinfj been 
suspected. ■;> iv ^v -ir ■:•: v.- ■.:■ v> ■::■ ■■.:■ ": ^^ "■ 

A council of war was then held, in which it was decided that the position of the fed- 
erals was too strong to be attacked in front with any reasonable prospect of success, 
and that a flank attack was now out of tlie question, inasmuch as the federals had 
been aroused by the disco ver}- of the danger which had so recently threatened them. 
The troops were therefore ordered to resume their former positions. 

In a letter to Governor Letcher, dated September 17, Gen. Lee wrote 
as follows about bis failure: 

I was very sanguine of taking the enemy's works on last Thursday morning. I had 
considered the subject v.ell. With great effort the troops intended for the surprise 
had reached their destination, having traversed twenty miles of steep, rugged moun- 
tain paths, and the last day through a terrible storm, which lasted all night, and in 
which they had to stand drenched to the skin in the cold rain. Still their spirits were 
good. When morning broke I could see the enemy's tents on Valley river at the point 
on the Huttonville road just below me. It was a tempting sight. We waited for the 
attack on Cheat mountain, which was to be the signal, till 10 a. m.; the men were 
cleaning their unserviceable arms. But the .signal did not come. All chance for sur- 
prise v.as gone. The provisions of the men had been destroyed the preceding day by 
the storm. They had nothing to eat that morning, could not hold out another da}-, 
and were obliged to be withdravv-n. The party sent to Cheat mountain to take that in 
in the rear had also to be withdrawn. The attack to com.e oil from the east side 
failed from the difficulties in the v/ay ; the opportunity was lost and our plan discov- 
ered. It is a grievous disappointment to me, I assure you. But for the rain storm I 
have no doubt it would have succeeded. This, Govcrncr, is for your own eyes. 
Please do not speak of it ; wc must try again. 

The garrison at tlie summit, magnified into 2,000 by General Lee, 
consisted in fact of 300, which ma\' be taken as a fair indication of 
Lee's estimate of our forces, and of tlie reasons that led to his utter 
rout in the mountains. The facts are that he was out generaled and 
outfouglit, and that by a force less than his own. The forces so com- 
pletely routed and driven from their stronghold, were under tlie eye of 
General Lee, and to our regiment is due, in i)art, the honor of adminis- 
tering the first defeat to General Lee. 

Colonel Moss, of the Second, who was senior officer, in command of 
that little army at Becca Creek, immediately turned his attention to the 
relief of the 300 men on the summit. It was necessary that communica- 
tion be opened without delay, as the force he had just driven from their 
camp near Becca creek, would probably make a liast}' march back to 
the Staunton pike on the other side of the mountain, and unite with tlie 
force at tlie Cheat river bridge, for the purpose of capturing Colonel 
Kimball on the summit, or with their wdiole force combined, they might 
return with the view of routing Col. Moss' command. 

The Fourteenth was spent in scouting and adjusting the picket lines. 
One of the guards fired at our own men, whicli brought the entire com- 
mand into line of battle. On the 15th a scouting ])arty of twenty men 
from Company I, was ordered to open communication with Kimball's 
camp on the mountain. They followed a bridle path along the side of 
the mountain and reached the pike about three miles west of the sum- 



RELIEF OF CHEAT MOUNTAIN. 141 

mil, wliere they met a scouting party from the garrison who, supposing 
(Hir boys to be rebels, prepared to give them a warm reception, but for- 
tunately two of C"o!. Kimball's men were with the latter acting as guides, 
who were recognizctl. Two dead rebels were found lying near where 
the path strikes the pike, who had been killed the previous day while 
engaged in action with Kimball's forces, and left unburied. Colonel 
Sullivan with the Thirteenth Indiana regiment, had marched from Hut- 
tonville the day before, and assisted Kimball in clearing the pike. They 
had a brisk light with the enemy at or near the junction of the path and 
pike, in which the latter were repulsed vv'ith a severe loss, the woods 
being stix'wn witli their guns and clothing in large quantities. The force 
on the summit v.'erc at v/ork unceasingly, and felled acres of heavy pines 
on thic eastern slope of the mountain, so as to sweep the bridge that spans 
the river less than a mile from the summit, where the confederates were 
making repeated efforts to cross, with a view of taking the garrison by 
storm. Then Colonel Moss deemed it necessary to fortify his position 
on Ijccca creek, v/ith the expectation that Lee would pay the camp a 
flying visit, and breastworks were thrown up capable of giving protec- 
tion to the two regiments, being yet all the troops tliere. The path lead- 
ing to the pike was picketed and patroled tlay and night, and every 
precaution taken to guard against surprise. ^Ve vv'ere ordered to hold 
this position at all liazards, and this too when reduced to half rations, 
compelled to live and sleep in the open air, without the shallow of a 
tent, while the rain poured down in torrents, drenching everything sus- 
cc]:)tib!e to water. 

On the night of the ;:oth the pickets began ilring, v/hen the command 
v/as hastily formed behind the breastworks, ready to repel the antici- 
pated attack of the enemy. Guns were carefully examined and every 
preparation made for the scene of carnage momentarily expected. The 
officers passing along the line, cautioned us not to lire until the com- 
mand v.-as given, and then \o fire low. We patiently waited for that 
command, shivering in the cold night air, but it never came. Ere long 
quiet reigned in the valley, the guards were again posted, and we were 
ordered to sleep on our arms. It has not been learned to this day what 
the pickets fired at. Morning came, and ('apt. Plankey with one 
party, and Capt. vSmith with another of :?o men from his own com- 
pany, scouted through the surrounding country, but failed to find the 
enemy. Capt. Smith's party v.-ent about five miles and returned with 
two fat ground hogs as the fruit of their expedition. A great deal more 
scouting was done, and energy v/asted, during our stay in tlie lonely 
valley. On the 2 2d a supply train reached us, and our hunger vv'as re- 
lieved. The Sixth Ohio and an Indiana regiment passed through the 
valley to the summit of Cheat Mountain, thus relieving us, and we re- 
turned to Elkwater on the 23d pretty Avell worn out. The long, forced march 
of the men on the night of the 12th from Beverly to Elkwater; their plung- 



142 RELIEF OF CHEAT MOUNTAIN. 

ing thr()UL;li the river on the morning of the ijtli; their incessant scout- 
ing, picketing antl scouring the mountains in drenching rains witliout 
shelter, and living on half rations for eleven tlays and nights, spoke 
vohimes for their powers of endurance, and an iron constitution could 
not endure much more. (len. Reynolds complimented the officers and 
men for their gallantry in charging over those rugged steeps and dis- 
lodging the enemy, for their promptness in executing every command, 
and also for their bravery and tenacity in holding a position of such 
vital importance, constantly menaced by a force five times their own, 
without shelter and almost without food, heedless of the pelting showers 
that daily and nightly fell for those eleven days. But tlie work was 
done and well done. Lee had been held in check at Cheat Mountain 
and Becca Creek, and repulsed at Elkwater, and was disheartened. 
Lee, who subsequently distinguished himself as the great military leader 
of the confederates, had come to retrieve the disasters of Floyd and 
Wise, and was himself repulsed. But his great disaster in this cam- 
paign, compelled him' to relinquish his hold on this western region, 
and we may well imagine his chagrin, as he led his defeated army away 
from before the bristling bayonets and guns of Cheat Mountain an(l 
Elkwater. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



IN CAMP AT ELKWATER. 




P.OUT this time the enemy was organizing camps for the enlist- 
ment and drill of recruits at various points near our lines. One 
)f these was at the base of Elk mountain, at a place 
called Mingo Flats, one at Huntersville and another at Lewisburg. To 
break up these camps, and capture or destroy their supplies was a de- 
sideratum, inasmuch as the inclement season was coming on, and it was 
important for us to render such posts untenable and thus put an end to 
enlistments. 

On the 6th of October, Gen. Reynolds ordered out the 2nd Virginia, 
3d Ohio, 6th Ohio, Baum's battery and one battalion of cavalry, the 
colonel of the 3rd Ohio being placed in command. About 3 o'clock in 
the afternoon, the exjjedition left lClkv>'ater. The heavy rains had ren- 
dered tlie narrow road almost impassable, and the mountain streams 
were swollen bank full; but the column moved forward, and when night 
fell on that wild and dreary region, they found themselves in a deserted 
rebel cam]), where they remained without shelter, on the wet ground, 
until morning. It was a fearful night. The rain fell almost in torrents, 
seeming to ooze from the evergreens over our heads, and as the drops 
fell on the weary bodies of the soldiers, they cut like icicles, chilling 
one to the very heart. Any who could were glad to seek shelter under 
a pile of brush, or under the friendly protection of a fence or pile of 
stones. The next morning the command was out bright and early, ready 
for the day's work. The line of march was taken up, and by noon we 
arrived at Mingo Flats, but the enemy had heard of the approach of the 
column, and hastened to Huntersville. The cavalry was sent in pursuit 
and after following them a few miles, found the tents, wagons, guns, 
etc., of the confederates all in a pile burning, and their cartridge boxes 
strewed along the way, while several boxes of cartridges were soaking in 
a stream near by. This, ' aside from the empty honor of having been 
bushwhacked, was the sum total of our whole work, and we ])repared to 



144 ■ CAMP ELK WATER. 

return to cain]). 'I'hc column started back, slc])t on the wet la-ound that 
night, and reachetl camp the next day, wading tlirough the swollen 
streams more than a dozen times in the one morning. 

On the twentieth of the month the detachment of the Second, which 
had been detained at Beverly for post tluty, rejoinetl the regiment at 
Elkwater, and the joy of meeting was unbounded. The severe cam- 
paigning through which we had just passed had tested the cai)abilities of 
the men for the hardships incident to a soldier's life. INIany of the men 
of the regiment were broken down and disabletl, and a number were 
discharged, leaving a body of hardy and brave men, fitted for the most 
onerous duties of the hard service in the mountains. The regiment was 
now fitted out with new guns, the best make of Minie muskets. The old 
muskets were turned back to the government without the shedding of a 
single tear. It is true the venerable weapons had seen some very active 
service; some of them had poured forth their contents into the ranks of 
the enemy, and kicked back about as hard into the shoulders of the 
men manning them, but these considerations failetl to evoke much sym- 
pathy. We were tired of carrying howitzers. The order was now given 
to build winter quarters, and every day the clanking axe could be heard 
on the hill sides felling trees. Drilling, building quarters and recuperat- 
ing were the order of the day. Many foraging expeditions were made 
into the more fertile parts of the valleys and hills to get hay and corn 
for the use of the horses, and sometimes for something palatable for the 
men. 

On November i ith a party of eighty men went from the Second, scour- 
ing the country in the direction of Huntersville, scaring away confeder- 
ate recruiting officers and soldiers wdio were on furloughs to their homes. 
A few prisoners were captured and a large number of cattle brought into 
camp by them. The regiment had inspired such terror among the bush- 
wackers that not so much of that warfare was intlulged in. Though not 
a thousand strong, by their skill as marksmen and their indomitable 
courage, the regiment had become a terror to all the enemy in the Cheat 
and ITkwater section, and were masters of the whole region. 

November 13th Company G of the regiment was detached for transfer 
to the artillery arm of the service', forming afterward battery Cr of the 
First West Virginia Light Artillery. They entered u})on their new and 
untried duties as the only battery we now had in that section, the others 
having been ordered away. The service of this gallant battery was so 
intimately connected with that of our regiment, that its history will form 
a part of that of the regiment, its presence being noted in order of time, 
in all the battles in which it was engaged. 

On the 5th of December a small detachment of the regiment was or- 
dered out with two days' rations, to caj^ture some rebel mail carriers 
near Roaring Creek on the Buckhannon pike. They brought into camp 
two rustics in butternut suits, claiming to be peaceable farmers. Under 



CAMP ELK WATER. 145 

the butternut coats were confederate uniforms, and in their shirt bosoms 
were important letters from prominent citizens to the confederate Gen. 
''Bill" (Mudwall) Jackson, giving him full details of our forces and op- 
erations. Many of these old mountaineers were rebel in sentiment, and 
we were kept constantly on the alert to prevent them from giving infor- 
mation to the enemy. 

On December 13th, an expedition consisting of 250 of our regiment, 
650 of the 9th Indiana, 400 of the 25th Ohio, 300 of the 13th Indiana, 
130 of the 32(1 Ohio and 30 of Bracken's cavalr)', attacked the camp of 
the enemy on the summit of the Allegheny mountains, generally known as 
Camp Baldwin. The camp was in command of Gen. E. Johnson of 
Georgia. The 2d left its camp at Elkwater on the 10th of the month, 
taking the path over Becca creek to Cheat Mountain summit, arriving 
there about 9 o'clock at night. They remained there until the morn- 
ing of the 12th, awaiting the arrival of the rest of the troops from 
Beverly and Huttonville. The line of march was taken up that day, the 
command reaching Greenbrier camp about 9 p. m., remaining here until 
about 1 1 o'clock, when the march was resumed. Here the force was 
divided, the 9th Indiana and the 2d Va., taking the Greenbank road to 
the right, while the rest of the command followed the Staunton pike, 
under command of 15rig. Gen. Robert H. Milroy, who kept on in the 
darkness until he came within half a mile of the enemy's camp when he 
halted. Hastily reconnoitering his position, he began the ascent of the 
mountain. Though weak and worn by their long night's march, the 
soldiers pressed forward, and at early dawn they reached the summit. 
They were to wait here for the attack of the other column, but they 
came upon the enemy's pickets, who fell back on their camp. Col. 
Jones, in command of the advance, seeing that his approach would be 
known, ordered Lieut. McDonald of the Thirteenth Indiana to pursue 
them, the regiment pressing over the rocky ground until it came to the 
edge of the woods in full view of the camp. The enemy was expecting 
them and v/as in line of battle. McDonald immediately deployed his 
men and the battle began, and after a few rounds the enemy retreated in 
great confusion leaving their dead and wounded behind them. Their 
officers succeeded, however, in rallying them, and they advanced with 
great determination, when the contest raged fiercely. The enemy was 
repeatedly driven back to his cabins, but as often returned to the fight, 
until after three hours fighting, the ammunition being nearly exhausted, 
McDonald ordered his men to fall back. This was made the more 
necessaiy, from the fact that the other colunni did not make its appear- 
ance. Col. Moody in command, found the march more difficult than 
he expected, the hill being very steep, and for three miles his men had 
to toil up the hillside, covered v/ith trees felled by the enemy. The com- 
bined attack was to have been made before daylight, but the first column 
did not reach the summit of the mountain until daylight, and the other 



146 CAMP ELK WATER. 

not until <S o'clock, or just after McDonald luid fallen back. Thus Col. 
Moody's division had also to encounter the whole force of the enemy. 
This they did in the most gallant manner, advancing with cheers, and 
driving the eneni}- back to within coo \ards of their camp. The con- 
federate fire then became so destructive, that our troops were compelled 
to take shelter behind the logs and trees, where their fire was so effec- 
tive, that the enemy was unable to dislodge them. Majors Milroy and 
Owens maintained their position here for a long time against three times 
their number, when seeing no prospect of being supported by the other 
column, they too fell back. The loss of our command was 137, while 
our regiment lost .9, among whom was Lieut. Alfred Sickman of Com- 
pany G, who was instantly killed. Lieut. Sickman was a cool, brave 
ami gallant officer. He ascended the mountain in a meditative mood, 
as if he apprehended the danger into which he was about to rush, and 
when the charge was made, he went into it with undaunted courage. 

'I'he official report of the confederate commander, Gen. ¥.. Johnson, 
shows his forces to have been 1,200, and their loss a heavy one, includ- 
ing some of their best line officers. Lhider the adverse circumstances, 
with the enemy's camp fortified, it was a well fought battle, and reflected 
great credit on the gallant men who bore the brunt of the fighting, which 
lasted at the several points from 7 o'clock in the morning until 2 o'clock 
in the afternoon, infiicting a much heavier loss on the enemy than was 
suffered by our forces. Maj. Owens complimented highly the men of 
his regiment for their brave conduct on the field. The regiment then 
returned to its camp at Klkwater. 

Several scouting parties were sent out during the rest of the month 
to break up marauding parties of the enemy, and clear the country of 
the bands sent to harass our lines. The service of this kind, and con- 
stant and severe picket duty, were so heavy that but little rest was given 
the men. Neither weather nor the numbers of the enemy, deterred the 
expeditions that covered almost every foot of the surrounding country. 
Settled in our winter quarters, behind a line of fortifications, we had no 
fear of the enemy even in greater numbers than our depleted regiment, 
which was now left alone to ])rotect the Elkwater valley and hold the 
outposts of our entire army. Deep snows added to the discomforts of 
the situation, but it brought a new amusement to the troops, that of 
hunting, which was freely indulged in by those who liked the sj)ort. The 
report was soon circulated that deer were being killed, which createil 
considerable excitement, as many of the men had never seen the animal 
at freedom in his native wilds. The origin of the report was in a hunt- 
ing expedition of Serg'ts. D. F. Williamson and G. A. (^uimby, who, 
after tramping over the hills for several hours, brought down a fine 
young animal, w^hich they thought would make very good eating. It 
was soon reported in camp that they had shot a deer, and the demand 
for it exceeded far the supply, the fortunate hunters selling it out at 



CAMP RLKIVATER. 147 

twenty-five cents per pound. Several of the officers were supplied, and 
the general verdict was that it was a fine specimen of deer. It was a 
long time before the sergeants tiarcd to tell the purchasers of their game 
that their deer was nothing more than a common calf. It is believed 
that more deer of this kind were caught than the native and genuine 
article. The sport was stimulated by this capture and afforded a great 
deal of fun, if nothing more substantial. 

One cool morning in December, a scouting party was sent out to the 
mountains, there being a slight fall of snow, and the streams high. They 
headed for "Windy hollow," wading the river, crossing a ridge and then 
followed a road that ran along a stream, until they reached a hill which 
they climbed. On top of the hill they went into camp, building good 
fires, around which they tried to rest for the night. The snow had 
melted, and the ground was very wet, making a cold, disagreeable rest- 
ing place. They lay so close to the fire that nearly every one of them 
burned their clothes, and S. J. Clendaniel, of Company I, nearly burned 
his shoes off his feet, while Billy Bowser, of Company A, lay with his 
back t(j the fire, and his suit was burned so that nothing was left but his 
drawers, and he wore a standing flag of truce. Sam. Kent, Sam. Howe, 
"Hop" Lancaster, Jehu Dehaven and "Graball," of Company I, were 
among others on the scout, some of whom received the seeds of disease 
that never left them. The party returned to camp without accomplish- 
ing anything. 

Shortly before the battle of Allegheny Mountain, another party was 
sent out, many of the same men being on it, and were attacked at Elk 
Mountain, one of the men being wounded by bushwhackers. John 
Oaks, of Company K, was sent to camp for reinforcements, and Serg't 
Black, of Company A, with a number of men, went to the relief of the 
party that had been attacked. They went on to the Little Meadows, 
arriving there at daylight, thence to Big Springs. Another detail was 
sent out, making three in all for this one scout. The roads were fearfully 
rough, in some places impassable, and the men were greatly fatigued 
and broken down. The return to camp was made without any incidents 
of special note, and without accomplishing anything of real value. 

The frequent tramps out on the hills brought some very queer exper- 
iences. One that afforded a good deal of amusement at the time, was 
the fright received by a member of Company G. An old man lived on 
the mountains near camp, who had his coffin ready made and in his 
room, into which he would get when any one approached tlie house. 
On one occasion a member of Company G went to the house, when 
the old man softly stole into his coffin, and pretended that he was no 
longer of the land of the living. Company G stepped into the house 
where all was quiet, and saw a watch hanging on the wall. Further in- 
vestigation revealed the old man at rest in his narrow w'ooden house. 
Said the visitor, "Well, the old man is dead, and I will take his watch, 



148 CAMP ELK WATER, 

lit' will rnjt have any further use for it," ami went tu i^el it, when a groan 
from the depths of the coflin, arresteil liis i)rogress, and, to liis horror, 
he saw the oh! feUow rise as if from the dead, and get out of the cofFin. 
Horror struck, the intruder jumijed. through a \vin(h)\v, badly cutting liis 
arm on the glass, and hastily made his way to camp. 

Every device imaginable was called into service, to v/hile away the 
hours, and tliere v/as no lack of fun and amusement such as the ingenu- 
ity of soldiers ah^ne could make ami eaiov, with the limited resources 
at their command. The contact with the mountaineers occasioned a 
good deal of interest and enjoyment, and sometimes exjjeriences that 
were not pleasant, d'hus the month wore away, ami the stirring events 
of war had almost been forgotten, v/lien the news came that confederate 
officers were enlisting and gathering troops u]) the valley, and the word 
was passed to put a stojj to it. 

On December 31st a detachment of 400 men of the Tu'enty-fifth Ohio, 
and 38 of ]]racken's cavalry from Huttonville, and 300 of the Second 
■Virginia, under command of IMaj. \Vel)ster, of the Twenty-fifth, went to 
Hunters\-ille to breal-: up tlie force concentrating there. Shortly after 
leaving Elkwatcr they were followed by the rest of the two regiments. 
It was a severe march., in the dead of winter, with the roads blockaded, 
amid drenching rain and sleet, making a distance of 102 miles in a little 
less than six days, penetrating the enemy's country thirty miles further 
than any of our troops had. before gone. The exi)edition was a very 
successful one, resulting in the coinplete dispersion of the enemy, who 
IMaj. Webster believed, consisted of .;co cavalry and several hundred 
of mounted militia, and tv.'o comiianies of infantry, d'he regular force 
was stated by Oen. E. Johnson, in command of the rebel troojjs at 
Monterey, to be z^o. Our force in action consisted of about 700 men, 
which Gen. Johnson magnified into a force of from 4,000 to 5,000. The 
contest was a spirited one, but with \-ery little Icjss on either side, one 
man of the Twenty-fifth Ohio being wounded, the loss of the enemy not 
being known. The men were eager for action and charged upon the 
rebel forces in the tov.n with great impetuosity, driving ever\th;ng be- 
fore them. A large (juantity of rebel stores was captured, estimated to 
be worth 830,000, all of v>diich was destroyed by fire. In liis re|.)ort of 
the expedition, Maj. Webster specially mentions I\lai. Ov/ens, C'apts. 
Planky, (iibsou and McNally, and Eieuts. West, Ecker, Day, Hunter, 
Smyth, Huggins and Weaver, of the Second, for the prompt, eftlcient 
and gallant manner in which they ])erforraed their duty on the march 
and in action. Of the men, he says: "Too much praise cannot be 
awarded. They at all times cheerfully submitted to necessary discipline. 
For one hour and a-half in which they were engaged in dri\ ing the 
enemy from cover to cover, a distance of tvro miles, not a man fiinched.'' 
Upon our return to camp, the word was passed that wc v»-ould change our 
quarters to Cheat Mountain, and all was bustle and excitement over the 
matter. 



CAMP ELK WA TER. 1 49 

Severe work v/as also bein;;' done in other portions of Western Vir- 
ginia. Confederate Gen. Henry A, \\'ise was superseded by Gen. John 
1). Idoyd early in August, who, under tlie iniluence of the inspiring news 
from Ihdl Run, determined to gain jjossession of the Valley of the Ka- 
nawha, resulting in some spirited fighting during the fall. in the lattei' 
part of August, a body of confederate cavalry under command of acting 
Col. Jenkins, v»'as ambushed at Piggott's Mill, and the demoralization was 
so complete, that Gen. AVise in his official rejjort says he 'met men with 
their subordinate oflicers, fiying at 5 miles distance from the enem\-, ami 
so panic struck, that even there they could not be rallied or led back to 
look after tlie dead and wounded.' 

An ambuscade and skirmish between \Vise's forces and a small force 
of union troops occurred September 4th,wdth a small loss, and no definite 
results. 

< )n the last day of August, (icn. Rosecrans advanced southward over 
Krutz and I'owell mountains to Summers-N-ille, dro\'e back the enemy's 
advance posts, and ipushiedi on by a forced march of ;;eventeen miles 
and a half toward (laulc)' river, finding the enemy on the heights over 
looking Cariiifix Ferry. Tlie march of Rosecrans v.as through the 
broken countr\-, and on the dinicnlt and well nigh impassable roads of 
the mountains. Climbing the rugged mountains and drag'ging their 
heavy cannon after them, was but a i)art of the work of these brave 
men. Crossing the summit of the mountains, they encountered on ihe 
other side a body of cavalry vidiich v/as driven before them. They 
were soon on their way to Suminersville, ami hearin;'; firing ahead, the}- 
double cpiicked to the scene of conflict, in time to see the rebels fleeing 
along the hillsides beyond. Pressing forward they soon came upon the 
enemy's pickets, and the firing of the advance commenced. Having 
now arrived in ])rescncc of the main body of rebels, Gen. I'enham was 
sent forward to reconnoiter th.cir i^o^ution. I'he brigade went forward 
and while laboring up the hill with tlie artillery, suddenly a prolonged 
and terrific roar of musketry was heard in the v.'oods directly in their 
front, d'hese severe and terrible volleys of the rebels were met in an 
instant, by the -well directcdi and deliberate volleys of the gallant brigade. 
Ere long the artillery opened, making grim music among the mountains. 
The 1 2th Ohio w^as ordered up. Charging along at double quick with 
thundering cheers, they dashed into the thicket out of which the volleys 
rang. Cannon and howitzers followed hcavib,- after, and directly Mc- 
Cook's (German brigade was ordered lo charge the rebels' intrenchments. 
It was just what they desired., and the colonel galloi)ed along the lines, 
telling the brave boys what work was before them. Cheer after cheer 
rent the air at tliis announcmcnt and they moved steadily forward as on 
parade, to do their dreadful work. A part of them had charged almost 
to the enemy's works, when they v.'cre recalled. Night was coming on 
and it was not deemed prudent to s'toru! the viorks in the dark. Gal- 



1 50 CAMr EL K WA TER. 

lantl\- lia<l llie\ foui^hl for four loni;' hours and now the}' lay down to 
sleep resting on their arms, a jiart of them within two or three hundred 
yards of the fort. When niornini; came, the enemy was gone, leaving 
behind them large c[uantitics ot ammunition and stores, and hastih- 
crossed the Ciaule\' river and destroyed the ferry boat so that our troo]);; 
might not follow. A\'e lost about 120 killed and wounded. Col. Lov/e. 
of the 12th Ohio being among the killed. The rebels retreated to 
Meadow ilridge. 

In the northeast of AA'estern Virginia (len. Kelley, who held and 
guarded the Allegheu)- section of the Baltimore and CMiio railroad, started 
from New Creek on the night of the 25th of October, advanced rapidly 
to Romney, the capital of Hampshire county, driving out a rebel bat- 
talion. It was a very spirited dash, well worthy of the gallant Ijoyswho 
were guarding that portion of the State. Placed against anything like 
equal numbers, they were well nigh invincible, antl when they came ujion 
the rebels, on this occasion, they swept u^jon them like a tornado, cap- 
turing two cannons, sixty prisoners, several hundred stand of arms, with 
all the camp equipage, provisions and munitions of war. It was a 
severe blow to the enemy and for a time cleared this ])ortion of the State 
of rebels. 

On the loth of November, just after 7 (Vclock in the evening, 150 
men of the Ninth Virginia Infantr}-, a new regiment just being formed, 
was completely surjjrised by 700 cavalry, under command of Colonel 
Jenkins, the guerrilla chief, all being killed or captured, except fifty or 
sixty who escaped. The place was held by Jenkins until tlie next morn- 
ing, when Col. Zeigler and his brave I'ifth \'irginia boys came upon the 
scene, accompanied by a number of tlie Home Guards of Lawrence 
countv, Ohio, and the confederates were driven from the ])lare on the 
double quick. The Home Cuards v,-ere so incensed at the secession citi- 
zens of the place who, it was claimed, encouraged Jenkins, that the)' 
set fire to the town, and a large portion of It was burned. 

Rosecranz, who was now in command of all the troops in Western 
Virginia, had posted himself at Cauley Mountain on New river, three 
miles above its junction with the Caulev river. Floyd and Wise, after 
Lee's departure, took position on the southside of the ri\-er and em- 
ployed themselves in intercepting and cutting off the union teamsters 
engaged in supplying our troops. To put an end to this i)etty warfare 
Rosecrans advanced against Floyd. The attack in front was duly made 
on November 12th and Floyd retreated, and on the 14th Floyd's rear 
guard of cavalry was attacked and driven by I'enham, its colonel, St. 
George Croghan, being killed. No further pursuit was attempted. 
Floyd retreated to Peterstown, more than 50 miles southv.-ard. Floyd was 
then ordered with his brigade to Tennessee, and Wise's brigade went to 
Richmond, from which place it was sent to Roanoke Island. 

On the 29th of December, Suttonville garrisoned by Rowand's com- 



CAMP ELK WATER. 151 

pany of the First Virginia cavalry, was attacked by 135 rebel guerillas, 
and the company was compelled to retreat to Weston, when the guerillas 
burned the town. Col. Crook, with four companies, went in search of 
the same gang from Summersville, encountered them in Clay and Brax- 
ton, killing six, the rest being chased into the mountains. On the 30th 
Col. Anisansel, with three companies of the l^lrst Virginia Cavalry, and 
three of the Third \nrginia Infantr\', marched to' punish the marauders, 
and killed 22, thus breaking up their nest in the (>lades. There was 
another conflict with guerillas at (iuyandotte, januar)' \.\, 1S62, which 
closed operations in \\'estern \'irginia. until tlie grand movement of our 
armies in the spring. 



CHAPTER IX. 



CAMP OX CHEAT MOUXTAIN SUMMI'l'. 



N Till'] 71I1 of Janiiar)-, 1062, our regiment was ordered to pack 
u]) and inarch to the camp on Cheat Mountain Summit, and re- 
lie\-e the Ninth Indiana, wliich was sent to Kentucky. \\'e 
left our winter cjuartcrs in the picturesque little valley with some regret, 
and with many misgivings as to the comfort that would attend us on top 
(jf the mountains. Two days march and we were in camp amid the 
tov/ering pines, where we remained until April 5th, almost three months 
cut off entirely from all forms of civilization, except that of our own 
isolated lives, and with no contact witli the active world that lay below 
us miles away. Our stay on the bleak summit of Cheat Mountain, was 
one devoid of much interest, and it required all the ingenuity of the 
soldiers in the (piarters, to pro\ide amusements and jxastimes to while 
away the long winter months. There v/as a great amount of picket and 
guard duty, but not sufficient to employ the timj of the men, who had 
been used to such an active life for the past six months. Heavy guards 
were thrown out on the dismal ])osts, and the weary hours hung heavily 
on the hands of the faithful sentinels; but they regarded neither the 
storms, the hardships nor the dangers that beset them, but bra\'ely met 
the demaj^vi.^ of duty, content to ser\e their country in whate\-er form 
the call to duty came. 

On the 22d of Januar}-, 1862, the men of the regiment were gladdened 
by the appearance of Company ]], tliis being the first time the company 
had been with us since the organization of the reg^iment. After the reg- 
iment had been formally organized at Beverly in lulv, Companv V> was 
ordered to Bealington, on the ])ike between Beverly and l'liillipi)i, where 
it was entrusted with the jirotection of twenty-five to thirl)' miles of mail 
and transportation on the Fairmont, Morgantown and Beverly roads, 
and served as scouts, jjickets, patrols and escorts against the rebel 
guerillas that infested the mountains, and with wlu)m the}- had many 
collisions. While thev missed the stirring e\ ents through which the rest 



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GENERAL MILROY. 153 

of the companies passed, in the period refei'red to, their services were 
no less valuable on tliat account, as they did a v/ork that was essential 
to the safety of their comrades In front. They endured many hardships 
and had all the dangers that surround a small command, in a country 
where bushwhacking was the favorite method of warfare by the enemy. 
In all those six months the communications of our army with the source 
of supplies were kept open and clear. 

Our location was such that we were compelled to carry wood fit for 
fuel a long distance, and chop it from the trees before it could be car- 
ried. It was an almost hourly scene to see some one of the messes, ankle 
or waist deep in the snow, chopping the beech and birch, and then 
slowly and laboriously carrying great loads of it to their quarters. It 
was hard work, but had the merit of giving that form of exercise to the 
men which was no doubt beneficial, but not in the least enjoyed. Cut- 
ting and carrying wood in the deep snov,', and in the fierce and bitterly 
cold winds of the summit, was not a pastime, and had no pleasures com- 
parable to those of the more exciting and dangerous work incident to 
our stay in Elkwater A'alley. lint v/hen off duty, after the day's routine, 
when the tender flapjack, the juicy mess pork and the fragrant coffee 
had done their work of mellowing our moods, and filling our stomachs, 
more gentle and agreeable hours filled our barracks with pleasure. The 
sound of revelry and mirth greeted the ear, and strange contortions of 
the body greeted the eye. One of our furloughed boys returned from 
civilization and brought v/ith him a violin, a flute and several jewsharps. 
A tambourine was made and a bayonet used as a triangle, and an orches- 
tra was formed that made as merry music as ever willing feet moved to. 
"Who can forget those scenes of rare enjoyment? Who would forget 
them if he could? They were oases in a life that had so much of desert, 
and many a choice spirit, languishing for home, tired, despondent, 
utterly cast down, was given renewed life by the merry souls that were 
always on the lookout for the bright side of even the most gloomy life. 
Our life on Cheat Mountain is a precious memory, but it is saddened by 
the untimely death of a few of our noble comrades who, far from home 
and loved ones, gave up their lives for country. 

In the three months we were here in camp, numerous scouting parties 
were sent out, and there was scarcely a day that some of the men were 
not out in the v\'ilds of the mountains, or in the depths of the valleys, 
makings it lively for n^.arauding parties of the enemy, and very uncom- 
fortable for the rebel garrison on Allegheny heights, but a few miles 
away, and in plain view of our camp. No matter how fierce the moun- 
tain storms, or severe the cold, the details were sent out; and in many 
cases it seemed a hardship that might be spared, but no duty was omitted. 
The several scouting i)arties, foraging expeditions, reconnoisances, 
forays, their destination and their service, made up of themselves a 
v/ork that cannot be described in words, or computed in the language 

K 



1 5 4 CHE A T MO UN TA IN. 

of figures. This was the outi)Ost of all that \'ast and dangerous moun- 
tain region. That comparatively small band stood alone to protect our 
long extended line, while within sight of us, across the valley on the 
AUeghenies, was the outpost of the confederates, a force larger than 
ours, watching our every movement, and threatening us all through the 
winter. Back of them was the active energy of the enemy, planning 
for the spring campaign, and getting ready to gain a stronger hold on 
the state, and get nearer to the Ohio ri\er. In all the campaigning of 
that winter, there was no other service like this, and none which could 
be compared with it in severity, in any department of our army. AVe 
were literally above the clouds, and in full sweep of the terrific wind 
storms that raged often day and night. The camp was on the summit, 
and was nearly, if not ([uite, 4000 feet above the level of the sea, the 
highest union camp during the war, and perhaps the highest camp of 
either army, where a command was quartered any length of time. 'I'he 
camp of the enemy on Allegheny Mountain was not quite so high, though 
there was not much difference. Often without vegetables, with nothing 
but hard crackers and the thickest of mess jjork, fat and juicy, to eat, 
we were subjected to considerable sickness; and among the rest a mild 
form of scurvy, with jaundice and fevers. The strongest constitutions 
were severely tried, but when that hard winter was over, there remained 
a body of hardy men, that stood the succeeding campaigns as but few 
men could, and were among the strongest and bravest of the union forces. 
Opportunities for improvement were also given those who desired them, 
and for those who cared for literary work, there was enough time to 
con many a valuable text book, and read many a valuable and interest- 
ing work, in the realms of theology, literature and science. On the 2::(1 
of February, a meeting was held to celebrate Washington's birthday, 
and it was one of great interest to every soldier there. Amid the boom- 
ing of cannons, and the cheers of the patriotic men of the regiment, 
fervid speeches were made, extoling the virtues of the Father of his 
Country, and pledging ourselves to fidelity to the Nation which we had 
sworn to defend against all its enemies. 

In the early part of March, Lieut. A. J. \\'eaver, of Company K, 
with d^i picked men from the companies of the regiment, was sent 
to destroy a lot of confederate supplies at Greenbank, abtnit 35 miles 
from camp, between which place and Cheat Mountain Summit, was the 
camp of the enemy on Allegheny Mountain. The route of the detail 
was a circuitous one, through the bleak mountains. They reached 
Greenbank at 2 o'clock the next morning. ^Vhen they reached the out- 
skirts of the town, Lieut. Weaver sent Sergt. Quimby, of Company K, 
with ten men ahead to reconnoiter, and instructed him to return within 
half an hour. This detail stopped at the first house they came to, and 
there learned that there were only about half a dozen confederate 
soldiers in Greenbank, and that they were sleeping in a church. After a 



GENERAL MILROY. 155 

short consultation, the detail concluded to go ahead and surround the 
church and capture the sleeping enemy. They had just got inside the 
churchyard, finding the church vacant, when they saw in the dim moon- 
light a squad of men coming down the street toward the church. They 
of course thought them to be the confederate soldiers, so they dropped 
down behind the fence, intending to fire on them. Just as the sergeant 
was ready to give the command to fire, he heard Lieut. Weaver's voice, 
which undoubtedly prevented some sad work. After firing a build- 
ing containing large quantities of stores, the party returned to camp, 
arriving there after dark, nearly exhausted. 

In the latter part of March other troops began to arrive on the sum- 
mit, preparatory to an advance on the enemy camped on Allegheny 
iVIountain. Large quantities of provisions, tents, camp equipage, etc., 
were brought up, and the word given that ere long active service in the 
field would again begin. On April 4th word was received that the rebels 
in Camp Allegheny were evacuating the place, and immediate prepa- 
rations were made to advance by our command. On the 5th the line of 
march was taken up, and we left Cheat Mountain summit never again to 
camp on its inhospitable heights. The forces were under the command 
of the brave brigadier general, Robert H. Milroy, a brief account of 
whose life and service is here given. 

MAJ(~)R GENERAL R. H. MILROV. 

Robert Huston Milroy, son of Gen. Samuel and Martha Milroy, Avas 
born in Washington county, Ind., June 11, 1816, about seven months 
before the territory was admitted as a State. His father was a hard- 
working, successful farmer, was a member of the first constitutional con- 
vention of Indiana, and afterward for a number of years was a member 
of the legislature of that State, and at one time speaker of the House. 
The son aided the father in all the hard work of the farm until his 25th 
year. Prior to this he had received only a country schooling, but for 
years had been strongly desirous to secure an education at West Point, 
or at some college. But his father being a self-educated man, refused 
this desire of the son, for .the reason that he believed that a collegiate 
education was more injurious than beneficial, and pointing to his fine 
library told Robert to educate himself. During the winter of 1840-41, 
his father sent him to Pennsylvania to visit two half uncles, and to col- 
lect from them a balance of $200 due from his grandfather's estate, 
which his father told him to appropriate to his own use in visiting the 
large eastern cities. But on receiving the money Robert determined to 
use it in obtaining his highest desire, a collegiate military education. 
He had heard favorably of Norwich Military LIniversity at Norwich, 
Vt.,Capt. A. Partridge, formerly superintendent at West Point, president, 
and went there and entered for study. By intense application to study, 
almost day and night, for two years and seven months, he was graduated 
with the degrees of Master of Military Science, Master of Civil Engineer- 



I s 6 CHE A T MO UNTA TN. 

ing and Bachelor of Arts. After vainly trying to get a commission as 
lieutenant in the regular armw be returned home in the s])ring of 1S44 
and began the stud\- of law. In the spring of 1S45 he went to Texas, 
took the oath of allegiance to "The Lone Star," and voted for its annex- 
ation to the United States. In the Fall of that year he returned home 
on account of the death of his father, and resumed the stud}- of law. 
On the breaking out of the war with Mexico, he promjHly raised a com- 
pany of volunteers and was mustered into the service of the United States 
for one year as captain of Company C, First Indiana Infantry, a part of 
the Indiana brigade of Brigadier Gen. Joe Lane. Wlien t1ie year was 
up, Capt. Milroy recruited another company for the war, but it was not 
accepted. After the muster out of his company, Cajit. Milroy returned 
to his home in Delphi, Ind., and again resumed the study of law. Me 
attended a course of instruction in the Law Department of the Indiana 
State University during the winter of 184S-9, and was graduated with 
the degree of tJachelor of Law. 

In May, 1849, ^"'s ^^'^^ married to Miss Mary Jane Armitage, of Delphi, 
and was admitted to the practice of law soon thereafter. In the fall of 
that year he was elected a member of the convention to remodel the 
constitution of his state. In 1852 he was appointed circuit Judge, and 
upon the expiration of his term, in 1854, he moved to Rensselear, Ind., 
where he continued the practice of law, until the breaking out of the 
rebellion in April, 1861. Seeing clearly several months prior to tliat 
event, that war Avas inevitable, Judge Milroy, on February 4, 1861, 
issued a stirring call for the prompt organization of \'olunteer comjjanies 
all over the state, to be ready with the volunteers of other states, to 
crush the coming rebellion in its infancy, and requested that all men 
qualified for military ser\ice, who desired to join such a compan\' at 
Rensselear, to give or send their names to him, and as soon as a suffi- 
cient number of names w^as received, a meeting would be called for the 
election of officers, which was done. This was the first call matle for 
volunteers for the great war. When war came, Indiana was called on 
for 60 companies of three months troops, and Capt. Milroy at once 
tendered his already organized ct)mpany, which was mustered into the 
service April 24, 1861, as a part of the Ninth Indiana Infantry, of wliich 
Capt. Milroy w^as elected colonel. He soon received an order to rej)ort 
with his regiment to Col. B. F. Kelley, at Crafton, ^'a., and crossed the 
Ohio river into Virginia, May 30, reporting to C'ol. Kelley June i. He 
took a part in the battle of Phillippi, the first of the war, and his regi- 
ment was in the advance in the pursuit of Gen. Garnett, who was killed 
at Carrick's ford. The three months regiments then returned home. 

Colonel Milroy went home with his regiment, but before disbanding, 
requested them to re-enlist for three years, and by Se])tember 12th, he 
had his regiment filled to the limit. He was appointed brigadier gen- 
eral to date from September 3d, but was not assigned to the command 



GENERAL MILROY. 157 

of a brigade until October 10, remaining with his regiment. He re- 
ported to General Reynolds at Elkwater on September 19th, and took 
])art in all the campaigns of that section. On December 10, General 
Reynolds was transferred to another field, and Gen. Milroy was left in 
sole command of the Cheat Mountain region. He fought the battle of 
.\lleghcny Mountain December 13, and directed the expedition to Hun- 
tersville December 31, after which the troops went into quarters for the 
winter. The history of Gen. Milroy from this time until the return to 
^^'estcrn ^'irginia, after the Second Bull Run, is that of our brigade, 
which he led in every battle and on every march. The full account may 
be seen in the succeeding chapters, all of his official papers that can be 
reached, being quoted almost in full. 

November 7, 1S62, Gen. Milroy left our brigade, and went to New 
Creek, where he had eight regiments of Infantry, two batteries and three 
cavalry companies under his command. On December 11, he moved 
his command from New Creek to Petersburg, and while there sent out 
scouting parties to Franklin, Brock's Gap settlement and Wardensville, 
and captured a number of prisoners. On the 21st he sent Gen. Cluseret 
with his brigade to Strasburg, which he captured, and then to Winches- 
ter which he occupied December 25, where Gen. Milroy went January 
I, 1S63. Here the general received his commission as major general, to 
date from November 29, 1S62, and was presented with a very fine sword 
by the officers of his command, as a mark of their confidence and 
esteem. He was very active while here and did good service. 

As there has been a great deal of criticism of the action of Gen. 
Milroy at AVinchcster from June 12 to 16, 1863, it is but just to state 
bricfiy some facts relating to it. In volume 7 of the "Rebellion Records," 
will be found Gen. Milroy's report and letter relating to the affair, which 
the survivors of the old Second Virginia, will do well to read, as a vin- 
dication of their beloved general, whose memory has been aspersed 
without cause. Gen. Milroy had a positive order to remain at Winches- 
ter, and never received orders to evacuate it. In obedience to the order 
he reniained there, until he demonstrated the impossibility of remain- 
ing longer without being annihilated, or comi)elled to surrender. The 
former v.-as not demanded for the good of the service, and the latter 
with him was impossible. He had less than 7,000 effective men, and 
with that small force would not have deemed it his duty to await the ap- 
proach of Lee's army, had he known they were coming that way. He 
hatl a right to expect that if Lee's army advanced against him from 
Hooker's front, that he would be informed of it by the general-in-chief, 
through Gen. Schenck, but no such information was ever received 
Gen. Milroy knew nothing of the presence of Lee's army until the end 
of the second day's fighting, when he captured some prisoners from 
whom he learned he was fighting Lee's army, which then had him sur- 
rounded. He fought them till S o'clock on the evening of the third day 



1 5 8 CHE A T A/0 ( ^.V TA FN. 

when his ainiminition aiul provisions, and all hope of sticror, being ex- 
hausted, he cut his way out at daybreak on the fourth day, June 15, 
1863, and got through with over 6,000 effective men, who were on duty 
in July, as was amply proven before the Court of Incpiiry called at his 
request in August, 1S63. As soon as the general-in-chief, Halleck, 
learned that Milroy had arrived at Harper's Ferry, he telegraphed Gen. 
Schenck in terms very insulting to Milroy, tcj give him no command at 
that place. By orders from Gen. Schenck, he then proceeded to Balti- 
more, thence to Bloody Run in Bedford county. Pa., where some 3,000 
of his command were, that had come through by way of Hancock. He 
was actively employed, and was i)reparing to move to the attack on a 
considerable rebel force in McConnelsburg, where he received an order 
on the 26th, from Gen. Couch, in whose department he was then act- 
ing, to turn over his command to Col. Pierce, Twelfth Pennsylvania 
cavalry, and report at once to (Jen. Schenck in Baltimore, which he did, 
when by order of the general-in-chief, he was placed in arrest. Thus it 
was for doing his duty, and staying the advance of Lee's army of 60,000 
men for four days, which delay enabled Gen. Meade to gain time and 
interrupt Lee's march, and choose the ground to fight the great pivotal 
battle of the war at Gettysburg, he was placed in arrest like a felon, 
and his command by his absence greatly crippled in its efficiency, and 
he made the victim of malice. There being no charges or causes as- 
signed in the order of arrest, and none being furnished after repeated 
demand. Gen. Milroy demanded a court of Liquiry, to investigate and 
report upon the evacuation of Winchester. This court was ordered 
August 4, 1863, and completed its labors September 7, and by its find- 
ings and report, and the opinion of President Lincoln thereon October 
27, Gen. Milroy was wholly exonerated from all blame. It was an 
astounding affair, and an act of injustice to a brave and patriotic gen- 
eral, that the exigencies of the service could not excuse. 

On May 13, 1864, after being out of command 10 months and 17 
days, he received orders to report to Maj. Gen. Thomas, at Nashville, 
Tenn., for duty, where he arrived on the 22d. While Gen. Milroy was 
in command in Tennessee, his time was occupied in guarding the vari- 
ous lines of transportation, and occasionally in heavy skirmishing with 
guerillas. In September he had several engagements with Gens. Williams 
and Wheeler, and later fought Gens. Forrest and Bates. On December 
7th he had a desperate encounter with Bates, near Murfreesboro, in 
which Bates and Forrest were defeated with heavy loss. This was the 
last regular battle Gen. Milroy was in, though he remained in command 
at Tullahoma and Nashville till July 1865, and resigned on the iSth of 
that month, and was mustered out July 26, 1865. Gen. Forrest said of 
him that Milroy was the only union general that ever defeated him in a 
fair fight. 

After leaving the service, he remained in Tennessee for some time, 



GENERAL MILROY. 159 

and then returned to his old home in Delphi, Ind., where he resumed 
the practice of law. In July, 1S72, he was appointed superintendent of 
Indian affairs for Washington Territory, and moved his family to 
Olympia, wherehe resided up to the time of his death. He held this office 
for two years, when it was abolished. Afterwards he was appointed 
United States Indian agent for the Yakima agency, and held this office 
till President Cleveland removed him in September 1S85, for "offensive 
partisanship." After this he practiced law up to the time of his death, 
which occurred at Olympia, March 29, 1890, aged 73 years, 9 months 
and iS days. 

Gen. Milroy was one of the bravest and noblest men of our country. 
The v/riter, and the other members of the Second Virginia, had ample 
opportunity to see the general's bravery tested, and every one will un- 
hesitatingly agree that he was the bravest and coolest man they ever saw 
in the storm of battle. No braver warrior than Gen. Milroy ever 
buckled on a sword. His fame is fixed in the annals of his country and 
in the hearts of his soldiers, all of whom loved him as a father, and fol- 
lowed him wherever he called with implicit faith in his judgment and 
courage. An ex})erienced officer, and thoughtful writer of the union 
army, who knew from personal service under Milroy at Winchester, 
what kind of a comuiandcr and fighter he was, has written the following: 
"Had Gen. R. H. Milroy been put in command in a place where his 
genius and ability fitted him to fill, he would have been the Murat of 
America. There was not an officer in the army of the union that ex- 
celled him in dash and true native courage." 

Gen. Milroy was a ])rofoundly religious man. He was cast on the sea 
of duubt and skepticism for a number of years, but returned to his early 
faith and became a member of the Presbyterian church, under the min- 
istry of llev. J. R. Thompson, of the State of Washington. 

The Second Virginia Infantry never served under a general for whom 
the men had so great an affection. It was the regard of men for a friend, 
and that he was tlieir friend is the testimony of every member of the old 
regiment. The affection was returned by the noble general, who spoke 
of them as '-my boys," and to whom he had but to speak and they 
would follow him into the very jaws of death. In a letter to the His- 
torian from one of the general's family, the writer says: "It seems to 
me that father spoke more frequently of the Second Virginia Infantry 
than he did of all the other regiments he commanded. There seemed 
to be more persons in it that he individually remembered and thought 
a great deal of." When the general Avas requested to write some of the 
early events of his life for this history, though very feeble, he expressed 
a desire to do so, "because," as he said, "the old Second Virginia In- 
fantry asked for it," and his son said he was willing to do anything he 
could for the old regiment, "for there was time when he knew the regi- 
ment would do anything he asked them to do." 



CHAPTER X. 



M O U N r A I N D E I'A III M K NT. 




ARCH nth, 1862, President Lincoln issued War Order No. 3, 
directing -'Tliat the country west of the department of the 
Potomac, and east of the de}>artment of the Missis- 
sippi, be a military department, to be called the Mountain Department, 
and that the same be commanded by Cen. John C. Fremont." Gen. 
Fremont assumed command of the department on March 29th, and pre- 
pared at once for aggressive operations. Included in this dci)artment 
were the forces of the Cheat Mountain District, under Brig. Gen. Robert 
H.Milroy, of which the Second Virginia formed a i)art. 

Under date of March i6th, Gen. Milroy had recommended to Gen. 
Ps-osecrans a plan of operations, which, included in its scope the capture 
of the forces on Allegheny ^Mountain, thence a rapid march on Staunton. 
Whether this recommendation was favorably considered by Gen. In-e- 
mont, the records do not shovi^, though it may be inferred that it was, 
from a communication to the Secretary ol war, April 3d, in which Gen. 
Fremont says: "We have lost an opportunity to capture the force at 
Camp Baldwin (Allegheny) for want of horses to move the batteries 
under Gen. Milroy." Gen. Milroy had ex])ressed a fear of such a re- 
sult in his terse statement: -'Fear that game I have watched so long 
will escape me at last." On April 4th Gen. PVemont addressed the 
Secretary of War, reciting the bad condition of his mountain army in 
the way of transportation, and closed by saying that "Last night Gen. 
Milroy was ordered to advance, with the intention of occuping Alle- 
gheny, and generally now it seems that on our part movements in ad- 
vance have become necessary." 

According to estimates made by Gen. Fremont, his whole available 
force, ready for active service, amounted to but 18,807 men, with which 
to guard a frontier of 350 miles, 300 miles of railroad and 200 miles of 
water communication. The Cheat Mountain district, under Gen. Mil- 
roy, comprised 6,084 of these forces. Before leaving the summit, a 



MO UNTA IN DEPAR TMENT. 1 6 1 

scouting party, under command of Capt. George R. Latham, consisting 
of eighty men, from Companies 1) and K, went in the direction of 
Monterey. They camped the first night about three miles east of the 
Staunton pike, at the foot of the Allegheny Mountains; the next day 
they traveled hard through the heavy timber to the summit of the Alle- 
ghenies ; thence they descended the mountain and cpiietly entered the 
town of Monterey, which they held until the arrival of the regiment, 
being the first troops to enter the place. 

All jn-eparations were completed, and the order to advance was given. 
We left camp on Cheat Mountain summit at 2 o'clock r. M. on Saturday, 
April 5. 1862, and marched that day to Camp Greenbrier, a distance of 
twelve miles, where we camped for the night on the banks of the beauti- 
ful river that runs through the valley. It was our first night for three 
months in the valley, and to us it was one of the most delightful of our 
army life. The first faint approaches of spring were to be seen, and we 
lay down to rest under the clear sky of an April night, with just enough 
frost to make huge camp fires very comfortable, which were made from 
the fences that were near the camp. 

Early on the morning of the 6th, we continued our march and before 
noon we were in Camp Allegheny, Avhere all winter hundreds of confed- 
erate troops had been in camp, that were now retreating southward. 
The distance to the camp was nine miles, but it was all up hill, and once 
again we were on the mountain top. It was a strongly fortified point, 
commanding all the approaches, and it was easily seen why our brave 
men failed in their attempt to capture it the December previous. We 
remained here through the night, and a dreary, dismal place it was. On 
the 7th we marchedi to Monterey, a distance of about sixteen miles, and 
it was one of the roughest and most disagreeable marches we had yet 
experienced. Tlie snow fell continuously and melted as it fell, forming 
a bed of mud that was almost impassable, while overhead we had all the 
discomforts of a snow storm, and cold enough to make us miserable. 
Upon our arrival in Monterey we found Capt. Latham and his party in 
charge. The following day other troops came in, and soon a fair-sized 
army was ready for dutv. On the Sth a scouting party was sent out 
from our regiment, which came in contact with the enemy, but no loss 
was sustained. At night our pickets and some of the enemy's scouts had 
a fight, but no one was hurt on our side. April 21st, Capt. Evving was 
directed to take twenty-five of his men toward Clover Lick, Hunters- 
ville and Green Bank to ferret out, and capture or kill all mail carriers 
or guerrillas he might meet, especially to capture, if possible, Jacob Bev- 
eridge, residing on Clover Lick, and if he resisted or attempted to escape, 
his life must pay the forfeit. They were to take coffee and sugar rations 
for four days and the rest of the rations to be furnished on the way. 
The captain and his squad went on their delightful service of meeting 
guerrillas and killing them, if they tried to get away. They went to 



i62 AFOUNTA IN DEPARTMENT. 

Beveridgc's house, but that individual was not at home h'inding a big 
iron kettle Serg't Osborne prepared a novel supper, the recipe for which 
the captain gives as follows : Twenty-three chickens, a large handful of 
salt, a bucket of water, and balls made of Indian nieal. It was a great 
success and highly enjoyed. Finding that Beveridge was determined 
not to come home and be captured, the party returned to camp. 

The life in Montery was one cjf unusual interest, and had enough of 
danger in it to give it spice and variety. A\'e were quartereil in the 
empty houses that were available, and though crowded beyond comfort, 
it afforded a life particularly dear to the soldier. When off duty, the 
fun and frolic that pervaded every company and every mess, were of 
the most hilarious character. Here the true art of foraging, in all its 
varied aspects, was learned by the boys, and they were apt pui)ils. For 
the first time we were in the enemy's country where there was something 
to eat, and other duties kept the officers and guards from scrutinizing 
too closely the mysterious movements of some of the men, who seemed 
to be unusually active in the service of their country. The farmers in the 
neighborhood could explain everything but they did not, and mean- 
while the soldiers lived on the best that the country afforded. 

(^n the night of the nth, companies C,, F. and H. of the Second and 
a few cavalry, went out on the pike toward McDowell, to reconnoiter, 
and hatl a skirmisli with the advance of the enemy. Toward morning 
they charged the enemy, ran theu^. into th.eir camp, and were treated to 
a lively return of bullets, in which two of the cavalry were hurt and one 
of Company F slightly. This led to an attack on our camp the ne.\t 
day. About 9 o'clock on the morning of the 12th, skirmishing began 
on our outposts, but the pickets were able to hold their own until almost 
noon, when the advancing force threatened their capture. About 12 
o'clock the long roll was beaten, and all the troops in the place fell 
quickly into line. Our regiment, and the 32d and 75th Ohio regiments, 
took jjosition on the right of tlie town, and the 25th Ohio and battery 
took position on the left of the town. Reinforcements were sent to the 
pickets, consisting of two companies of the Seventh Ohio, Companies B 
and D, Second Virginia, two companies of the Twenty-fifth Ohio, two 
of the Thirty-second Ohio, one company First Virginia Cavalry, and 
one gun of Capt. Hyman's battery, under command of Maj. Webster. 
The skirmishing was quite brisk for a short time, but the enemy v.-ere 
put to flight and pursued to their camp near INIcDowell. Our loss was 
three men badly wounded in the Seventy-fifth Ohio. The force of the 
enemy was about 1,000, with two cavalry companies and two pieces of 
artillery, and their loss was quite heavy. 

On the 13th a false alarm caused the sending of the Second in tlie 
direction of Crab Bottom, marching about two and a half miles before 
it was discovered that our own troops, and not rebels, were the party 
that created the alarm. On the the same day a heavy scouting party 



MO UNTA IN DEPA R TMENT. 1 63 

went to McDowell, and found the enemy fortifying on Shenandoah 
mountain. On the i6th, Company I, of the Second, some other infantry 
and a company of cavalry, went in the direction of McDowell to recon- 
noiter, and were the first troops to enter McDowell, the Second Virginia 
again taking the lead. They drove in the enemy's pickets, and prepared 
the way for the advance of other troops, which immediately went to the 
place, and they returned to Monterey on the iSth. 

On the 24th a foraging party, consisting of 26 wagons, with a guard 
of ten men, was sent out to Bull Pasture, about 15 miles from Mc- 
Dowell, for forage. Near Williamsville, the train became water bound, 
the rain falling in torrents. In pulling away from the edge of a stream 
that was rapidly rising, they had to pass a clump of laurels, from which 
the bushwhackers fired on the train, and William Howe, teamster of 
Company I, but not enlisted, was shot through the head. Soon after 
this his father, Daniel Howe, Company I, was also shot in the head, 
both killed, and T. J. Walker, of the same company, son-in-law of 
Daniel Howe, was struck in the left ankle by some missile, or stray shot, 
and falling severely hurt himself, but was able to get back to camp. 
Two of the guards were killed and two mortally wounded, and the teams 
were all captured and the wagons burned, 80 horses and mules being 
taken by the enemy. It was a disastrous affair to the party, and created 
intense excitement in camp. Gen. Milroy at once took measures to 
suppress the guerrillas, and they were so effective as to receive the com- 
mendation of Gen. Fremont, who said in a dispatch to Gen. Milroy : 
"Your efforts in suppression of guerrillas approved. The commanding 
general takes this occasion to say that he has been gratified with the 
good conduct and gallantry displayed by your command since entering 
the Monterey Valley, and requests that as much be conveyed to them 
through your headquarters." The "efforts" of Gen. Milroy were ef- 
fective, and there was less of this kind of warfare thereafter. 

On the 29th the Second left Monterey to take part in the general 
movement that was soon to be made under the leadership of Gen. Fre- 
•mont. The three weeks' stay at Monterey was one of considerable hard- 
ships, plenty of hard work as well as pleasure, such as the soldiers could 
have in their rough and exposed life. The weather was very severe at 
times, snow having fallen to a depth of ten inches in the latter part of 
the month, while rain, mud, storm and cold were of such frequent oc- 
currence as to make our stay at times very disagreeable. The ser- 
vice was hard in picket duty and scouting, and bore heavily on the 
troops, but they endured it as became good soldiers. 

On April 28th Capt. Ewing was ordered to hire or press all the teams 
necessary to forward to Monterey all the guns of the battery formerly in 
charge of Capt. Johnson at Elkwater, consisting of six guns. They 
started without a single horse to walk back thirty-two miles to Elkwater 
to bring six guns, six caissons, the battery wagon and forge into the pros- 



i64 MOUNTAIN DEPARTMENT. 

peclivc rtglit at McDowell. Sonic of the hoys iie\er luul walked thirty- 
two miles before that day, but Milroy's order was imperative, and they 
reached Elkwater in good shape. The comjjany went to work with a 
will to ])ress horses into the service of Uncle Sam. They found the 
horses and moved the battery for the first time in their lives. They had 
all kinds and descriptions of horse flesh and harness. Later on when 
they struck ISlenker's Division at I'"ranklin, they styled them the '"West- 
ern Virginia Bushwhackers." They reached McDowell on the yth and 
had nearly all night to get ready for the fight, the first real hard battle 
that the}' had ever been in, with their old plow harness, their colts that 
had never been broken, broken down old mares going on three legs, and 
ran the guns up and unlimbered them in the face of the enemy, and fired 
away until Gen. Schenck came at night with his division. 

Our stay at McDowell was a very exciting one, closing with a stub- 
born fight. The Second was kept in active service nearly the whole of 
the time. ( )n the 30th Companies F and I were sent out on a scout, 
and at the same time C'ompany B returned to camp from service of the 
same kind. The former party returned on May 4th, bringing with them 
a train of wagons loaded with flour. It was a welcome addition to the 
commissary department. Amitl scouting and heavy picketing the force, 
consisting of Milroy's ov.-n command, passed the time, the demands on 
the strength and endurance of the men being very severe, but there was 
no conflict with the enemy until the yth. On that morning the alarm 
was given and the forces of the command were ])laced in position for re- 
ceiving the assaults of the enemy. The alarm was created by an attack 
on the 32nd Ohio and some of Shuman's cavalry, which were 
posted on the Shenandoah mountains about five miles from McDowell. 
Our little force was compelled to retreat, losing their tents, camp equij)- 
age, etc., and about twenty of (lie regiment were captured on picket 
duty. Shuman's cavalry cut their way through a j^ortion of the ene- 
my's forces, with a small loss. This was merely the prelude to the stub- 
born fight of the next day, when our forces, small in number, met the 
heavy forces of the rebels, and were compelled to retreat. 

On the morning of the 8th Gen. Schenck arrived with about 3,500 
men, and though the senior of Gen. Milroy, permitted Milroy to con- 
duct the battle. The enemy was discovered on Bull Pasture mountain, 
one and three-fourth miles from IMcDowell, on our right and front. Our 
battery commenced to shell them to ascertain their numbers, and Maj. 
Long, of the Seventy-third Ohio, and Company B, of our regiment, en- 
gaged them, skirmishing from about 10 o'clock until 3 in the afternoon, 
when Capt. Latham, of Company B, informed Gen. Milroy that the en- 
emy were endeavoring to plant a battery upon the mountain, which 
would command our whole encampment. Aside from the efficient ser- 
vice rendered by Company B, the Second was not engaged in the battle, 
but was drawn up in line in full view of the fight, where it was held to 



MO UNTA IN DEPAR TMENT. 165 

support the artillery, and advance if needed. It was an unenviable 
situation and the men were anxious to go forward and take part in the 
exciting and dangerous conflict, but their duty was to await orders. 
From our position we had a splendid view of the whole scene, and it 
was one of grandeur and splendor, particularly after nightfall, that hu- 
man eyes are not often permitted to see. About 3 o'clock the Twenty- 
fifth and vSeventy-fifth Ohio attacked the enemy in front, and though 
but little over 900 in number, without any shelter from the fire of the 
enemy, they advanced up the precipitous mountain side upon a force of 
fully twice their own, protected by entrenchments and the natural for- 
mation of the mountain, and maintained the position unaided for one 
and a half hours. About 4 o'clock the Eighty-se'cond and Thirty-sec- 
ond Ohio and the Third Virginia regiments were ordered to turn 
the right flank of the enemy, which they obeyed with the greatest alac- 
rity, and kept up a destructive fire, causing the enemy to waver several 
times. The action then became general and bloody, lasting until after 
8 o'clock. Capt. Ewing's battery, with the guns of Johnson's battery, 
Avas called into service, and gave good support until the forces came 
into close contact. The flashing of the guns after nightfall on the 
mountain side and crest, amid the trees, was indescribably grand and 
beautiful, and no one witnessing it can ever forget it. At times sheets 
of flame shot from the angry mouths of the guns, lighting up the whole 
mountain side, and again the flash from one or a few muskets made a 
scene of particular beauty and animation. A few minutes after S o'clock 
the firing ceased, and both sides rested, our men retiring to camp in 
good order, bringing with them their dead and wounded. The actual 
forces engaged in the battle under Oen. Alilroy, were the regiments 
named, numbering 2,268 men, and their loss was 26 men killed, 227 
wounded, and 3 missing, in all 256. Companies B and I), of the Sec- 
ond Virginia, were ordered out as |)ickets on the Staunton ])ike, and 
held the road, remaining as a rear guard, until the troops and supplies 
were safely on the road to Franklin, when they retired, protecting the 
rear of our column. 

The report of the enemy was made by Oen. T. J. (Stonewall) Jack- 
son, whose account is not very dissimilar to that of Gen. Milroy, as to 
dates and general plan of action. The rebel forces were under the com- 
mand of Gen. E. Johnson, and consisted of his brigade, that of Gen. 
Taliaferro, and Col. Campbell, in all twelve regiments and one battalion, 
numbering more than twice as many as Gen. Milroy led against them. 
Their losses are officially reported, a-, follows; Killed, 16 officers and 
59 men; wounded, 38 officers and 385 men, a total of 49S killed and 
wounded, almost twice as many as in our forces, showing that though 
at a great disadvantage in numbers and position, our men fought with 
great courage and eflectivness. Gen. Johnson, two colonels and two 



1 6 6 MO UNTA IN DEPA R TMENT. 

majors were amont:; Ihe wounded, and one colonel was killed, of the 
confederates. 

Early next nlorninL,^ under orders from (len. Fremont, our forces re- 
tired in the direction of Franklin, where the troops of the Mountain 
Department were being concentrated. The line of march started at 4 
o'clock, stopping for the night about eight miles from Franklin. During 
the day's marcli we were constantly hara ;sed by the enemy, and at noon 
were drawn up in line of battle to repel their approach, but they fell 
back. The following day we reached Franklin, where we went into 
camp. The guerillas were busy during the night, but with disastrous 
results to them. On the iith or 12th we were ordered into line several 
times, but no serious fighting occurred, the enemy being content to wage 
bushwhacking without giving us the opportunity to meet theni fairly in 
battle. 

The arrival of Gen. Fremont and staff on the 13th, created intense 
excitement in camp. I'hey brought with them eight regiments and four 
batteries, followed the next day by six regiments and two batteries. 
There was the greatest curiosity to see the gallant general, and his hand- 
some presence and military bearing, gave great confidence to the troops 
now directly under his command. He was welcomed with military 
honors and by the plaudits of the thousands of soldiers encamped in the 
place. We were no longer annoyed by the forays of bushwhackers, the 
enemy having retired from our immediate front, but a more dreaded 
enemy threatened us, that of hunger. On the 17th the supply of bread 
of all kinds was exhausted, and the only food left the thousands of men 
in the camp was fresh beef, and not even salt had we with which to sea- 
son it. P'or some reason our sup])ly trains were delayed, and for three 
days, and in some cases longer than that, there was not a pound of 
bread for the thousands of weary and hungry men, but unsalted beef 
was the only rations. In this time v/e were subjected to the exposure of 
heavy rains, and were required also to help in the erection of fortifica- 
tions; the unfit food, and heavy labor, making such a draught on the 
endurance of the men, that the forces were greatly weakened. Diarrhrea, 
dysentery, etc., were the common lot of all, and it was in this condition 
we were found, when the order of march came on the 25th. 

It was about this time that the famous brigade under Gen. Milro)- 
was formed, consisting of the Secontl, Third and Fifth regiments of 
Mrginia infantry, the Twenty-fifth Ohio infantry, and Fwing's, Flyman's 
and Johnson's batteries. 

On the 2ist, Col. Moss and Lieut. Col. Moran resigned tlicir com- 
missions, and Capt. George R. Latham was appointed colonel, but was 
not commissioned until the 24th. On tlic same day that he was ap- 
])ointed colonel, Cai)t. Latham was sent to Seneca, in charge of 500 
men, to disperse or capiture the notorious Bill Harper and his gang of 
bushwhackers. Upon arriving at their destination, Capt. L,atham and 



MO UNTA IN DEPA R TMENT. 1 6 7 

party met Harper, whom he killed, and three of his men, besides wound- 
ing several others, and capturing a large quantity of stores. It was an 
expedition of great value, resulting in clearing out this notorious gang of 
bushwhackers. Maj. J. D. Owens was left in charge of the regiment, 
commanding it until the return from the battle of Cross Keys, where he 
did good service with his gallant men. 

Gen. Fremont gives the following graphic account of the condition of 
affairs at Franklin: 

"The streams at ray rear VvJcre swollen by the incessant rains, and the roads had 
become almost impassable. Not so much as one quarter forage was got forvv^ard, and 
except an incomplete ration of bread, no rations had been got up for the men. For 
days together, fresh beef, with a little salt, was the only provision on hand for issue. 
Coffee, so essential and desirable in the field, was becoming a luxury almost unknown. 
Sick lists were largely on the increase, and such was the demoralization induced by 
privations endured, that demonstrations among the men, amounting almost to open 
mutiny, had in instances to be put down with a strong hand," 

The line of march was taken up May 25th, and the weary tramj) to 
Strasburg was to try the strength and spirit of the troops. The 
roads were horrible, delaying the column, the wagons and the artillery 
almost swamping in the mud. Our brigade reached Petersburg on the 
27th, and resumed the march the next morning, stopping for dinner at 
beautiful Morefield, amid the lovely and picturesque scenery about it. 
We marched nine miles further and camped for the night in the Lost 
mountains. During the next day we marched a few miles and rested 
for the night in the forest of this wild mountain region. On the istof 
June we arrived within five miles of Strasburg, striking the rear of Jack- 
son's retreating army. The latter part of the march was through 
drenching rains, falling in torrents on the men, who had l)ut little 
protection from thorough wetting, and as the excitement of the firing 
in front reached us, we dashed through streams and double quicked 
to the scene of firing, forgetting our weariness and discomfort in the 
hope of a fight with the enemy. Then began the famous campaign in 
the Shenandoah valley, in which the forces under P'remont, worn down 
by hunger and fatigue, forced to battle the command of Stonewall 
Jackson, and in the language of President Lincoln, addressed to Gen, 
Fremont June 13th, "Vou (we) fought Jackson alone and worsted him." 
The following account of our rapid march up the valley to Flarrisonburg, 
not equalled to this time by any campaign in the war, in rapidity of 
action or severity and hardships, is from the official report of Gen. Fre- 
mont: 

"With the arrival of the rear, the leading corps of my command again stretched 
forward, taking the road to Strasburg. At 7 o'clock in the morning of this day, June 
1st, my advance, under Lieut. Ccl. Cluserst, first touched Jackson's main body, driv- 
ing in the advanced pickets of Gen. EwcH's brigade. Pressing forward and encoun- 
tering and driving stronger bodies of skirmishers, the column within a short distance 
came upon cavalry and a battery in position, which immediately opened fire. * * 
About noon the enemy's batteries ceased fire, and my troops were ordered to encamp- 



1 68 MO UNTA IN DEPA R TMEN T. 

Our cavalry, being pushed forward, found Iho enemy withdrawing and a strong col- 
umn of infantry just filing past our front. A reconnoisance by Ccl. Cluscretwith the 
8th \'irginia, pushed to within 2 miles of Strrsburg, showed the enemy withdrawn, 
and at nightfall this cfliccr, with his I rigadc, accompanied by a battalion of cavalrj- 
and a section of artillery, was ordered to mxAC forward upon Strasburg and determine 
the position of the enemy. The day closed with one of the most violent rain storms 

I have ever seen, willi re.-dly terrif'fic lightning and thunder, and the night being very 
dark, and Col. Cluscrct being without guides rr l.ncwledge cf the country, his troops 
passed the If wn of Strasburg, and m.r.rching to t:,c light of the enemy's fires, about 

II o'clock came into contact with Ashb-y's cavalr}', which occupied the road forming 
the rear of Jackscn's position, about tv.o m.i-cs beyond Strasburg, on the road to 
Woodstock. ■••' " Having ascertained the position of the enemy, Col. Cluseret 
withdrew his men and returned to camp. The reconnoisance showed the enemy in 
retreat. With daylight of June end, my command m.ovcd in pursuit. " "•■■ -^ 
Closely pressed by my advance, the enemy at about 10 a. m., turned to make a stand. 
■••■ "" After determined resistance for an hour the enemy v.ere driven from posi- 
tion and again pursued. Repeatedly during the day they faced about and were as 
often compelled to lelinquish the fight. The pursuit \vz?, rapid, not less than 18 
miles being made in the space cf 5 hours. In one instance scarcely a hundred yards 
separated my advance from t!ie enemy, the latter, hovvcver, gaining a small bridge 
and unlimbering rapidly upon a roclcy rise beyond. Ey sunset the enemy had reached 
for the night the high.er points beyond Wocostcck. The retreat was reckless. Over 
500 prisoners fell into our hands. Several liundred stand of small arms cast av,-ay or 
left in stacks by the rebels v/ere also gathered. Of gray-coated stragglers at least a 
thousand were in the woods and country adjoining. Broken ambulances, clothing, 
blankets, and articles of equipment strewed the route. Our loss was small. At the 
last stand made hj' the enem.y, he lest 7 killed. Ilis total loss during the daj- must 
have been considerable. A.t about 5 o'clcck in Ib.c afternoon Gen. Stahel's brigade 
occupied Woodstock. 

Although much fatigued by the forced march of the day previous, my command at 
an early hour of the mcrning cf June 3, v.cre upon the read to resume pursuit. Again 
the rear guard of tl;e enemy turned to cover his main body, or to gain time for placing 
obstacles, tearing up the road, or destroying culverts and bridges. The fire of the 
opposing batteries v.as m.utually brisk, with, at inter\-als, an accompaniment of the 
dropping shcls cf small arms. Strenuous effort was made by the rebels to de- 
stroy the bridge over Stony Creek, at Edenburg, about ^i\e. miles out of Woodstock. 
A portion of the planks were torn up and the timbers so far cut that the structure 
sank, partially broken, about midv;ay of the current. So prompt, however, were m}- 
ad\'ance troops that the parly left bj- the enemy v.as compelled to retreat in haste 
without farther execution of its design. A ford v.-as fonnrl at a short distance up the 
stream, and, wiili some diificult)-, cavalry .-ind artillery wore gotten across. - ■•■" ""■ 
By noon my command were mainly upon the farther bank and again in rapid motion. 
The bridge over Cedar (Mill) Creek at I\'!ount Jackson v.'as saved nearly intact by the 
celerity with which the enem.y was overtaken. The rebel Gen. Ashby barely escaped 
capture at this point by Capt. Conger's company of Third Virginia Cavalry. This 
company, pressinf; forward under their persevering leader, v/cre in season to come on 
a body of the enemy about to fire the largest and more important bridge beyond Mount 
Jackson, crossing the north iork of t'le Sjb.enandcali. A gallant charge v;as made, but 
the volleys of grape and musketr}- drove bade the small command. "••■ "•■• ■"' "■•■ 
The bridge was successfully fired, burning ranidly, with thick volumes of flame and 
smoke. ■» * * •:^ ■:> :: ".■ ■.:■ ->: i'- "c •:^ ■■■- ■::■ 

The pontoons procured by mc at Tittsburgh, hrr.-ing be(;n kept -.veil up v/itli the 
column, were now ordered to th.c front, and pronar.Tlions im.mediately made to gain 
passage by rebridging the Shenandoah •■ '■ ■■' A heavy rain set in, but 



MO UNTA IN DEPAR TMENT. 169 

operations were continued throughout the night. By six in the morning the bridge 
was made available for crossing and a force of infantry and cavalry gotten over. 
Suddenly, however, the river began to rise, to a yet greater height. In the space of 
four hours, flooded by the storm and its mountain tributaries, it had gained fully 
twelve feet, with a current correspondingly turbulent and swift. The drift borne down 
was working great mischief and several of the boats were swamped. To save the 
bridge from utter destruction the ropes were cut and the pontoon swung round to the 
northern shore, * * * The troops already across being well posted and 

amply covered by our batteries upon the bluffs, little apprehension was felt as regarded 
their immediate safety. Toward night the stream, as suddenly as it had risen, began 
to subside, and parties at work renewed their efforts. Their task was arduous, and it 
was not until 10 a. m. of the next day that the bridge was again in condition for cross- 
- j(. ^;- * * * * -;:- * * -x- «■ * * •>:• * 

On the 5th of June, then, crossing safely the bridge of pontoons, my column, with 
scarcely more than half the numbers of the enemy in advance, retook the trail 
and pushed steadily forward. A lapse of more than thirty hours since the burning of 
the main bridge over the Shenandoah had given the enemy an advantage he proved 
not slow to use. He was not overtaken upon the 5th, and having made eighteen miles 
and passing on the way the enemy's (ires still burning, my command was bivouacked 
beyond New Market, the enemy's camp being but a few miles ahead. 

On the 6th I was enabled by an early and rapid march to restore the lost contact. 
Our progress was a little retarded by the burned and blazing culverts which had been 
fired by the enemy along the road, but sharp artillery and cavalry skirmishing was 
renewed during the forenoon, and at about 2 o'clock my advance drove his rear guard 
through Harrisonburg. The direction taken by the main force of the enemy being 
uncertain, my troops were ordered into camp around the town. Later in the after- 
noon the First New Jersey Cavalry, with a battalion of the Fourth New York Cavalry, 
came suddenly upon the enemy's camp in the woods several miles to the southeast, 
and was driven out with serious loss. A little before sundown Gen. Bayard entered 
the woods with four companies of Kane's Rifles (Bucktails) and the First Penn'a 
Cavalry. Almost immediately after getting into the timber, the Rifles encountered a 
regiment of cavalry with artillery and a regiment of infantry, from which they re- 
ceived a very damaging fire. A very severe engagement of half an hour followed, 
during which the Rifles lost upward of forty in killed, wounded and missing. * * * 
Col. Cluseret coming up with his brigade to the support of the Riflemen, the enemy 
retreated in disorder, leaving him in possession of their camp. On their part, the 
enemy in this sharp affair suffered still more severely, losing among the killed Gen. 
Ashby, who, up to this time, had covered their retreat with admirable audacity and 
skill. 

On the 7th a reconnoisance in force was sent out under General Milroy 
in the direction of Port Republic. We left Harrisonburg at 2 p. m., 
traveling about six miles, through fields and woods, striking Jackson's 
force but avoiding bringing on an engagement. We found that Jackson 
had turned in the direction of Port Republic, and that he was about to 
turn in force to dispute our advance. We returned to camp to rest 
for the conflict of the morrow. On the morning of the 8th, Sunday, 
the march was resumed, the command taking the road leading directly 
through the woods to Cross Keys. About 8:30 our advance under Col. 
Cluseret, struck the enemy at a point near Union church and immedi- 
ately engaged him. The rebels were driven back about a mile, when 
they were drawn up in line of battle, and Gen. Fremont ordered his 

L 



1 7 o MO UNTA IN DEPA R TMENT. 

troops into position with a view to a general attack. 0\\\ line of battle 
was as follows: Milroy's brigade formed the right wing, with Schenck 
in reserve; left wing, Stahel; center, Chiseret; reser\e to Stahel and 
Chiseret, Bohlen, and Fourth N. V. cavalry extreme left, with cavalr)' 
watching our right and rear. 

Of Jackson's position (ien. Fremont says: 

"The enemy occupied a position of uncommon strength, commanding the junction 
of the roads to Port Republic. His main line was advantageously posted upon a 
fidge, protected in front by a deep declivity, and almost entirely masked by thic){ 
woods and covered by fences. Near his center, and on the summ.it of an abrupt 
ascent, bordered at the base by the high perpendicular bank of a marshy creek, he 
fiad massed, in additipn to his guns elsewhere, three of his best batteries. From 
superiority of numbers his flanks both at the right and left considerably overlapped 
jTiine," 

Judging the enemy's right to be his strategic point, the general decided 
to press him from this side. It resulted in a fierce fight, in which the 
German troops in General Blenker's division were severely punished, but 
they resolutely held their ground, resisting with great gallantry the 
repeated bayonet charges of the rebels. General Milroy's brigade on 
the right was doing effective service, steadily driving the enemy, advanc- 
ing his lines fully a mile. In our front were Generals Early and Elzey, 
and though they obstinately disjiuted every foot of ground, they were 
forced to retire before the forces of General Milroy, whose brave and 
impetuous leadership was almost irresistible. The Second was in the 
hottest of the fight, and responded to every command and order with 
the precision and heroism of veterans. AVhile hurrying into line the 
enemy's shells fell thick and fast about us. but not a man wavered. 
It was a serious time, but neither danger nor noise could check the flow 
of the spirits of the men, and the\' went into the conflict confident, 
courageous and cheerful. 

At first our regiment was placed in position along a fence with the 
batteries of our brigade in front. The batteries opened on the rebels, 
when the courtesy was returned, and the shot and shell flew thick and 
fast into our lines, giving the boys some idea of the realities of war. 

The position of our regiment was then changed, and we lay in a ravine 
with our batteries to the rear of our position, and here we were treated 
to the music of the screaming and hissing shells, which seemed to us to 
be as thick as the leaves of Vallambrosa, but the softness of the ground, 
into which scores of shells sank, saved us from serious injury. Again 
we were moved, this time into a ravine where we were in line between 
our batteries in the rear on an elevation, and the rebels in front. We 
were then permitted to witness an exciting artillery duel, which was ren- 
dered terrible by the screaming of the horses that were wounded, and 
far more by the men of the regiment who were shot. The battle was 
fully on, and we were ordered to the right and front to resist the enemy 
who were attempting a flank movement. A brisk and se\erc musketry 



MO UNTA IN DEPA R TMENT. 1 7 1 

fight was the result, with considerable loss to our brigade, and a much 
heavier one to the opposing forces, who were compelled to give way be- 
fore the gallantry of our troops. 

Gen. Fremont, acting on information from Gen. Shields that he could 
hold the bridge at Port Republic, and prevent Jackson crossing the river, 
determined to defer a renewal of the battle until morning, reform his 
lines, and give the men a needed rest, as they had been marching and 
fighting since early morning, without any chance to rest or take food. 
The command was directed to bivouac, and the night was busily spent 
in preparations to have the command in readiness for a general advance 
in the morning. But Gen. Shields failed to burn or hold the bridge, 
Jackson drove him from his front, and escaped across the river. In the 
morning when Gen. Fremont advanced he found no enemy in front, but 
the enemy's dead in great numbers lay upon the field. Advancing 
toward the river, a black column of smoke, rising about five miles in 
advance, showed the Port Republic bridge on fire, and soon afterwards 
the sound of cannon and white wreaths from rapidly exploding shells 
along the line of the river, showed an engagement in progress in the 
vicinity of the bridge. A single brigade sent forward by Gen. Shields 
to hold the bridge had been cut to pieces, and Col. Carrol in command, 
had for his own reasons failed to burn the bridge, and the result was 
before us, while Jackson was on his way to Richmond. Thus ended the 
battle of Cross Keys, and the advantages were certainly with General 
Fremont who, with a force of 10,500, met the whole command of Jack- 
son, of at least 18,000, consisting of Jackson's division of thre^ 
brigades of eleven regiments, one battalion and six batteries; Ewell's 
division of four brigades of sixteen regiments, one battalion and five 
batteries, and two regiments of cavalry and a battery. The loss in our 
command was 114 killed, 443 wounded, 127 missing, total 6S4. 

The loss in Jackson's command incomplete reports, was 58 killed, 
402 wounded, 47 missing, total 506, taken from reports of Jackson and 
Ewell. Our brigade lost in this battle 23 killed, 122 wounded, 14 missing, 
total 159, of which the Second lost 3 killed, J. B. Kelly Co. A., J. Berry 
Co. H., and W. H. Mail Co. K.,and 19 wounded, with 2 missing; total 24. 

General Fremont has the following relative to his troops, in his report: 

On the evening of the yth, preceding the battle of Cross Keys, it was ascertained 
that less than one full ration in any form remained for issue, and it was only upon the 
certainty of a fight the next day that the council assembled decided for any plan to 
move forward. These circumstances cannot but forcibly illustrate the physical condi- 
tion of my men four days after Cross Keys, on their return to Mount Jackson. It 
was, indeed, less a matter of surprise that their fatigues and privations had begun 
unmistakably to tell upon the most robust than that the mass had been got forward at 
all. More than 200 had, up to this time, after careful examination by a board of sur- 
geons, been discharged for disabilities incident to their hard service, while the re- 
maining sick and wounded, brought along mainly in army wagons owing to want of 
ambulances, upward of 1,000, were now at Mount Jackson. The heroism, the uncom- 
plaining patience with which the soldiers of my command endured the starvation and 



1 7 2 MO UNTA IN DEPA R TMKNT. 

other bodily sufferings of their extended marches, added to their never failing alacrity 
for duty against the enemy, entitle them to my gratitude and respect. For their 
good conduct on the march and on the field, I take this opportunity to thank them as 
as well as their officers, regretting that within the limits of this report I cannot dwell 
upon the many single cases of individual merit that came under my notice. 

The energetic movements made by the general and his excellent treat- 
ment of his troops, greatly endeared him to the command, and he was 
popular to a wonderful degree. ]'"irm and rigid in discipline, he saw that 
all fully attended to their duty, but in personal contact with' his men lie 
was kind and considerate, and made due allowance for their fatigued 
condition. 

In this campaign we marched 200 miles in 115 hours of marching, it 
being 432 hours from the time we started until the close of the expedi- 
tion. We walked in column nearly two miles an hour, a record suffi- 
cient to attest the endurance of the men and their fidelit}- to the cause 
they so well served. For about six weeks the)- were without tents or 
shelter of any kind, and on the 24th of June, when the command liad 
returned to Str^sburg, they received, for the first time since they started 
on the campaign, full rations, a period of considerably o\er a month, and 
previous to that time they had became exhausted for want of food. Our 
regiment came out of the campaign with less than 300 men fit for dul\'. 
Our march back to Strasburg was uneventful, and we arri\ed in that old 
town on the 20th. We had been in camj) for se\eral days at Mount 
Jackson, a section of country of rare beauty, but like all the rest of the 
valley, devastated by the ravages of war. 

On the 22d our wdiole regiment went out on an expedition, returning 
at night, without seeing anything of note. On the 24th all the troops 
left Strasburg and went to Middletown, except our brigade, which was 
left to keep a watch on the valley. AVe were camped o\\ a beautiful 
spot, out in the edge of a woods, where we hatl all the delights of 
country life, and had an enjoyable time, so far as that was possible 
under the circumstances. On the 26th our regiment went out on another 
scout, returning the next day, having accomplished nothing. AMiile in 
camp at Strasburg a large number of the men of our division were dis- 
charged for disability, this being particularly true of the Cierman regi- 
ments in Blenker's division, on whom the expedition told particularly 
hard. Upon arriving at Middletown, Gen. Fremont's troops effected a 
junction with those of Gens. McDowell and Banks. On the 26th an order 
was issued by the President placing Gen. Pope in command of the 
troops under these generals. In regard to this Gen. Fremont says : 
"Having the conviction that consistently with a just regard for the safety 
of my troops and what was rightfully due to my personal honor, I could 
not suffer myself to pass under the command of Gen. Pope, I asked to 
be relieved from the duty to which I had been assigned under him. On 
the 27th of June, having been relieved of my command by direction (jf 
the President, I proceeded to New York to await ftirther orders." 



CHAPTER XI. 



THE ARMY OF VIRGINIA. 



[NDI'^R (late of June 26, 1862, President Lincoln issued an order 
tliat "the forces under Maj. Gens. Fremont, Banks and Mc- 
Dowell, including the troops now under Brig. Gen. Sturgis, at 
Washington, shall be consolidated and form one army, to be called the 
the Army of Virginia." Maj. Gen. John Pope was appointed to the com- 
mand of the army, and Gen. P'rcmont's forces became the First Army 
Corps. Upon the declination of Gen. Fremont to accept the command, 
Maj. Gen. Franz Sigel was appointed to the command of the corps, and 
assumed command on June 30th. The "Independent Brigade" of 
Brig. Gen. Robt H. Milroy, formed a part of the First Army Corps. It 
was composed of the Second, Third and Fifth Virginia Infantry, the 
82(1 Ohio Infantry, companies C, E and L, First Virginia Cavalry, 
and the 12th battery Ohio Light Artillery. In the new organization of 
our brigade, we lost our old comrades of the gallant 25th Ohio, with 
whom we had braved many dangers, and whom we had learned to trust 
as the bravest of the brave in our little army. They remained in the 
cor])S, but in another brigade, the brave 82d Ohio taking their place with 
us. Independence day was duly celebrated by the brigade. The firing 
of cannon was the signal to form in line, and the brigade was drawn up 
to take part in the exercises of the day. The celebration was begun 
with music by the bands, after which a number of the members of our 
regiment sang, when the Divine blessing was invoked by the chaplain. 
Rev. lioltou. Maj. AVebster, of the 25th Ohio, read the Declaration of 
Iude])endence, and then followed a speech by brave Gen. Milroy, which 
wrought the command to the highest pitch of enthusiasm, and evoked 
rounds of applause. It was a lovely day, most fittingly observed. 

Lmder date of July 4th, Gen. Pope issued an order directing Gen. 
Sigel to march to Sperryville by the way of the Luray valley. In reply 
to this order, Gen. Sigel forwarded to Gen. Pope, July 5th, his order 
organizing his corps into divisions, etc., among which is named the 



174 POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 

"Indcj)cii(lcnt lirigade, (len. Milroy ;////> 71'/// /'(• the advance hrit^adc.'''' 
It can be said with all truthfulness, that this part of the order was strictly 
carried out, as we were always kept next to the enemy; in the front when 
we advanced on the enemy, and in the rear when we retreated. We 
broke camp on the 5th and started on our long weary march, not to end 
until we reached Washington. Our march up the valley to Luray was 
an uneventful one, except the suffering from intense heat, as we trudged 
along hour after hour, with very little rest. Nearly half the regiment 
gave out from heat and exhaustion. We reached the little town of Lu- 
ray on the 9th, marched over the Blue Ridge, and on the i ith went into 
camj) near Sperryville, at the eastern base of the mountains. Passing 
through Luray, before reaching the mountain slope, great excitement 
was caused by some one firing out of the windows on our regiment. In- 
quiry developed the fact that the fire arm that hurled the deadly bullet, 
was in the hands of a woman. This was an incident a little out of the 
usual order, though we had become accustomed to the bushwhacking 
that greeted us on every march and from every hillside. The march 
over the beautiful range was an interesting one, though severe, and was 
made a joyous occasion by the happy spirited men of the regiment. A 
band of German singers in Company C enlivened the march by their 
singing, their strong and musical voices filling the woods, and giving 
new life to the men so weary from their fatiguing march. We remained 
at Sperryville until the 22nd, when we went to Woodville. 

A report of the condition of our brigade while here, showed that we 
had present for duty iio officers and 2,397 men, and in our entire army 
2,473 officers and 49,328 men. We were now fully in the field ready for 
duty, with a small but courageous army, anxious to advance against the 
enemy. The men had the utmost confidence in Gen. Pope, and be- 
lieved that a campaign of victories awaited them. On the 14th of July 
he formally addressed the officers and men of his army, in the cele- 
brated letter which has been so much criticised. 

We lay near Woodville until the 9th of August, preparing for the gen- 
eral advance that was soon to take place. July i8th we had a brigade 
drill, the first our regiment ever took part in, the brigade being com- 
manded by Gen. Milroy, and July 29th we had a division drill under 
direction of Cren. vSigel. It was so novel to the men that they really en- 
joyed it, a fact that could not be stated of drilling in general, so far as 
it related to our regiment. A "war meeting" on the 27th, and a pole 
raising at brigade headquarters on the 31st, gave the occasion for a good 
deal of oratory. A speech from Gen. Milroy was always a treat to the 
men, as he was nearly as popular as an orator, as a fighting general. 
On the 5th of August, General Sigel led us in a sham battle, and it was 
exciting enough to arouse the enthusiasm of the most sluggish. August 
7th we were reviewed by Gen. Pope, who was enthusiastically cheered 
by the men, to his evident delight. 



POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 175 

We broke camp on the evening of August 8th, taking up the line of 
inarch at 11:30, arriving at Culpepper Court House next morning. We 
lay at this place until evening of the 9th, listening to the sounds of 
battle that came from Cedar Mountain, where a fierce battle was fought 
between Gen. Banks' corps, and the rebel forces. We waited anxiously 
for marching orders to proceed to the scene of action, but strangely 
enough we were kept in camp, unemployed, until night, when we were 
hurried to the front. In his official report Gen. Pope states that Gen. 
Sigel failed to march promptly from Sperryville as directed, and he was 
several hours late, rendering it impracticable for his corps to be pushed 
to the front as intended. The corps not being provided with rations be- 
fore starting, had to be supplied from Gen. McDowell's provision train 
at Culpepper, rendering another delay necessary, so that our corps 
failed to get into this battle, as was designed. Had we been on time, 
no doubt a brilliant victory would have resulted, instead of a drawn 
battle. 

Our approach to the field of conflict at night was one of the most 
picturescjue scenes we had ever witnessed. At intervals along the way 
were camp fires shining brightly ; the signal officers were transmitting 
their signals by lights, the beautiful colors gracefully waving in the air 
like fairy wands, while in front the booming of cannon, with the flash 
that accompanied the fatal missiles lighting up the night, made a scene 
ever to be remembered. It was beautiful, and the animated scene was 
further enlivened by the rude sounds of war that came to us from the 
front. The long column marched steadily forward to the mountain, 
where they encamped for the night. The firing of cannon ceased about 
midnight, when the weary trooj^s lay down on their arms to rest, ready 
for the carnage that they believed the morrow would bring. Alarms 
were frequent during the night, but no serious collisions took place. 
During the night Jackson withdrew his troops about two miles from our 
front, and in the morning Milroy's brigade pushed forward and occupied 
the ground, and for some time had quite heavy skirmishing with the 
enemy. The day was exceedingly hot, and ere long there was a cessa- 
tion of hostilities. The next day was spent by both armies, under a flag 
of truce, in burying the dead, for which duty our regiment was detailed. 
The men of the two armies mingled freely together and talked over the 
results of the battle. It was a strange, though not unusual, scene, and 
the friendliness expressed was one of the inconsistencies of the war. 
During the night of the nth. Gen. Jackson evacuated his position in 
front of us and retreated across the Rapidan river, leaving many of his 
dead and wounded on the field, to be taken care of by our army. The 
next day our brigade and the cavalry started in pursuit of the retreating 
confederates, following them to the Rapidan, where we rested. Our 
whole army was pushed to the front on the 14th, our right, under Gen. 
Sigel, resting on Robertson's river. 



176 POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 

Before a week had elapsed, Gen. Pope became assured that nearly the 
whole of the confederate army, at Richmond, had left there and were 
concentrating in his immediate front, with the intention of overwhelm- 
ing him before he could be joined by any part of the army of the 
Potomac. He then fell back beyond the Rappahannock, and by the 
19th his army was jjosted for eight miles along the north bank, from 
Rappahannock station to Warrenton Springs. Across the river was Lee 
with 85,000 men, being the whole of his army except D. H. Hill's and 
Holmes' divisions, opposing the 45,000 of Pope's command. On the 
19th our brigade received orders to march, and on the evening of the 
next day, we went into camp at the Sulphur Springs, where we lay until 
the next morning, when we marched to Kelly's Ford, a few miles from 
Rappahannock station. An almost continuous artillery fire had been 
kept up between the two armies since the morning of the 20th. Lee 
made repeated efforts to cross the river at various points, and along the 
whole line of eight miles the firing was kept up, but with little loss on 
either side. At the Ford we met the enemy, but failed to bring on an 
engagement the first day. We watched the enemy closely and prevented 
them from doing any damage to any part of our lines. On the 2 2d 
there was more serious work, and after an engagement of some hours, 
we drove the enemy and took possession of the field. The loss was 
slight, but the work was severe and trying. This engagement is 
referred to as Freeman's Ford in General Milroy's rei)ort. In this 
battle, so vividly referred to by Gen. Milroy, ours was one of 
the regiments that lay in the woods, as reserve for our batteries. While 
we received but little injury, it was a place of the most trying character, 
lying so long under the fire of the enemy's batteries, yet not permitted to 
respond. The bursting shells that were hurled into the woods, sent 
pieces whirling and whizzing in every direction, so much so, that there 
was a constant feeling of uncertainty as to injury that might follow. It 
was no uncommon thing to see one of the men pick up one of these 
pieces, which he watched as it lazily made its way among the branches 
of the trees, and then fell to the earth, sometimes too much spent to in- 
flict damage, while again with force enough to destroy life, if any un- 
fortunate came in its way. Yet amid all this danger and confusion, 
with our own gallant batteries hurling death and destruction at the 
enemy, it was a common sight to see weary men lying behind logs or 
sitting behind trees, sleeping as soundly and sweetly as if in the quiet 
and safety of camp. But how those messengers of death screamed 
as they sped, and shook the very air as they exj)loded, in that historic 
wood! This tested the courage of men often more than the exciting 
charge, or the steady fire in column. Milroy's veterans were equal to 
any demand made upon them, and their hard service in the battle field, 
their skill in the bush with the guerrillas, and their undaunted and un- 
tiring forays on scouts, gave them the kind of endurance and courage, 



POPE'S CAMPAIGN. i77 

that made even this kind of warfare tolerable. There was no flinching 
and when the order came for more active work, they were alert, active 
and vigilant, and as brave as the most noted soldiers in history. We 
held our position undisturbed during the night. 

On the morning of the 23d we left Kelly's Ford, our brigade bringing 
up the rear of the corps, marching toward Sulphur Springs, where we 
engaged the enemy. Our battery began shelling them, and then our 
infantry opened a brisk fire on the infantry of the enemy, who were soon 
forced across the creek and were compelled to retire behind their bat- 
teries. The confederates had torn up the bridge, thus preventing our 
advance, except the few cavalry that crossed over, and, darkness coming 
on. Gen. Milroy encamped his brigade a short distance back from the 
banks of the creek. The next day was a more stirring one, bringing 
with it some of the severest fighting we had yet experienced. Our 
brigade opened the ball in the morning, and was under fire nearly the whole 
of the day. On the 24th an incident occurred out of the regular order, 
that caused great fun afterward, but was exceedingly dangerous at the 
time. The Second and Third Virginia regiments were marched up near 
where the confederate artillery had been doing good service, and ordered 
to fire into the woods where the artillery had been posted. Not being 
able to elicit any response to our attack, the regiments began to cheer, 
and gave three old-fashioned cheers, followed by three groans for Jeff 
Davis. Before the groans had fairly been uttered, there was a storm 
came out of that woods that discouraged all further cheering. We fell 
hastily back, and it was not often that any troops ever were subjected to 
such a raking from grape and canister as we then had. Fortunately we 
got under cover of tlic trees, and as shot after shot was fired into us, we 
dropped behind the logs and trees and escaped injury, except in the case 
of Charles W. Sivert, of Company I, who was shot in one of his legs, 
which was amputated, and Wm. McGully, of Company D, who lost his 
right leg by one of the grape shots striking him in the knee, and severing 
the leg all but the muscles in the rear part of the knee. Dr. Hazlett 
afterwards amputated it. 

The artillery engagement mentioned in Gen. jVIilroy's report, of this 
day, was the greatest of the war to our brigade, and it was certainly one 
of the grandest sights that man ever witnessed. It was in fact a tre- 
mendous artillery duel, in which the skilled gunners of both sides exerted 
themselves to the utmost. Our regiment lay in the rear of our batteries, 
and though somewhat exposed, viewed the scene with an absorbed in- 
terest. We lay back of the brow of the ridge, and as the thunder and 
roar of the artillery seemed to shake the very earth, we could see the 
belchings of the enemy's guns, and notice to some extent, the effect of 
the good work of our gunners. How the shot and shell flew and shrieked 
through the air above and about our lines! What excitement stirred the 
hearts of the brave men who calmly went at their work, as if it were 



I7S POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 

mere play I It was a hard and a gallant fight, hut the guns of the enemy 
after a while became (juiet, and the victory rested with the batteries of 
the union army. 

The same evening we received orders to proceed to \Vaterloo liridge, 
arriving there about 5 o'clock, where we immediately went into action, 
the artillery doing good service, and the skirmishers preventing the 
enemy from gaining any advantage. Even after night had closed over 
the scene, the enemy kept up the firing, at times opening furiously on 
us with small arms, vvhich we returned to their satisfaction. The next 
day, the 25th, the action was resumed witli all the fury of demons. The 
artillery was at times deafening, while the steady crack of the musketry 
showed where the battle was in progress. There was glorious work per- 
formed at Waterloo Bridge, enough of itself to immortalize the brave 
men that took part in it, and it was one of the most dangerous places in 
the campaign of Pope. Those of the men not engaged, or while at rest, 
found but little safety anywhere. It seemed as if the confederates had 
full range of the whole field, and that there was no place too remote for 
their deadly bullets, whose zip at unexpected places, kept the boys in a 
state of uncertainty and doubt. Still there was no shirking, and when 
the call came for active duty, and that of the most desperate kind, it 
was performed well. Lieut. John R. Frisbee, of Company D, with a 
squad of men, was ordered to fire the bridge, which duty he [jcrfornied 
with a courage of the most exalted character. With the fierce firing be- 
tween the opposing forces, that on the part of our brigade to divert the 
enemy's attention from the scjuad at the bridge, and on their part to 
prevent this action, it made the situation an exceedingly trying one to 
the brave men, but the bridge was doomed from the moment the order 
came to our regiment to destroy it, and though it burned slowly, and it 
seemed like an age almost until it was useless for its purpose, there was 
no faltering on the part of any. 

The men in squads, of their own accord, at one time, went to an ex- 
posed point where, as sharp-shooters, they did an immense amount of 
damage to the enemy and made him observe a caution that must have 
been galling and trying. Dark put an end to the conflict, and after 
nightfall we retired from the scene of danger. We left about 9 v. .m. 
and arrived at Warrenton next morning at daylight. It was a hard 
march after our severe campaigning, and many a comrade fell by the 
wayside, worn out, and so exhausteil that further advance Avas impossi- 
ble. But not long after the command was at rest in camp, the weary 
men rejoined their companies, again ready for the arduous and danger- 
ous duties before them. We lay at this place until the 27th, when we 
marched toward Gainesville and had an exciting day of it. Upon ar- 
riving at Broad Run, four miles from Gainesville, the bridge was found 
to be on fire and the confederate cavalry and artillery drawn up on the 
opposite side. Maj. Kreps, commanding the cavalry detachment of 



POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 179 

our brigade, immediately charged the enemy and put them to flight. The 
pioneer corps was at once set to work and in fifteen minutes the artillery 
crossed the bridge. On the 28th we marched toward Manassas Junc- 
tion, arriving within a mile of the Junction at noon. In the afternoon 
the brigade joined the corps near Oroveton, where it rested until morn- 
ing. During the evening, and until about g o'clock, the firing was very 
heavy and severe, but our brigade was not engaged in it. 

The following is Gen. Milroy's report of the operations of his brigade 
to this time : 

On the igth we marched all day, passing through Culpepper, and encamping at 
midnight about four miles north of that place, on the Sulphur Springs road. 

On the 2oth at daylight resumed march toward Sulphur Springs, reaching there at 
5 p. m., without any signs of the enemy in our rear. Started on the morning of the 
2ist with brigade in advance of corps, in the direction of Rappahannock station, and 
reinforced Banks and McDowell, who had thus far prevented the enemy from crossing 
the river at that point, and found a heavy artillery engagement going on. We arrived 
about noon, and were ordered to rest near Gen. Pope's headquarters until a position 
in the field could be assigned me. About 2 p. m. I was ordered to advance toward 
the river and take position on the right of King's division. After advancing about a 
half mile my brigade was divided, yourself. General, (Sigel) taking two regiments 
along the road, myself moving with the other two through the fields, a small squad of 
rebel cavalry, who had been watching our movements from the edge of the woods in 
front of us, fleeing at our approach. Upon arriving at the edge of the woods I halted 
my column and allowed the sharpshooters and skirmishers some five minutes in ad- 
vance. I then started my two regiments, crossed the woods, about a quarter of a 
mile in width, and halted, finding ourselves on the right of the line of .skirmishers 
then engaged, established by Gen, Patrick of King's division. Remaining here some 
two hours, the enemy making no demonstration, I fell back to the fields, in the rear 
of the woods to rest for the night. In the meanwhile you. General, had placed my 
infantry and battery in position near the road on my right. Thus disposed of, we 
rested until the following morning. 

On the morning of the 22d I was ordered early to take the advance in the direction 
of Freeman's Ford, about one and one-half miles in front and to the right of us, 
where the enemy had massed the night previous, and were then holding the ford. 
When within a quarter of a mile of the ford, in order to reconnoiter and select posi- 
tion, I hurried forward, accompanied by my cavalry, being screened in my approach 
by a long belt of pines bordering on the river. Arriving at the edge of the pines I 
halted my cavalry and, accompanied by my staff, crossed the road and ascended an 
eminence commanding the ford. Scarcely three minutes had elapsed when the 
enemy opened upon me from two batteries with grape and shell. I immediately hur- 
ried my cavalry across the road to a safe position, and ordered my battery, under 
Capt. Johnson, forward on the double quick. In less than five minutes after receipt 
of the order he had his pieces in action amid a perfect shower of shot, shell and can- 
ister from three of the rebel batteries, and in ten minutes after had silenced their 
heaviest battery. He continued engaging the enemy for about two hours, compelling 
them to constantly change the position of their guns, when, his ammunition giving 
out, I asked for another battery. Capt. De Beck's battery of McLean's Brigade, was 
sent me, he in turn being relieved by Capt. Buell, of the reserve artillery, in about 
two hours. The enemy ceased firing about 3 p. m. My infantry, which at the com- 
mencement of the action I had placed under cover of the woods on either flank of the 
battery, had suffered but little, some two killed and 12 or 13 wounded by canister and 
shell. 



i8o POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 

About 3 p. m., wishini,' to ascertain the cause oi' the enemy's silence, I iletermined 
to cross the river, and accordingly sent for my cavalry, numbering about 150 effective 
men. I then crossed the ford, sending a company of sharpshooters across and 
deploying them, ordering their advance up the hill occupied in the morning by the 
enemy's batteries, myself with my cavalry in the meantime going around by the road. 
Arriving at the summit of the hill, I discovered the greater part of the enemy's wagon 
train, accompanied by their rear guard, moving up the river in the direction of Sul- 
phur Springs. Their cavalry, upon discovering us, gave the alarm, hurrying off their 
teams and stragglers in the greatest confusion. I posted a platoon of cavalry as 
videttes, at the same time throwing forward 20 of my sharpshooters, who commenced 
skirmishing with the rear guard. Being merely reconnoitering, and not having suffi- 
cient force to pursue their trains, I ordered my two remaining companies of cavalry 
into line, under protection of the hill. The remainder of the sharpshooters I 
deployed as skirmishers, ordering them to feel their way into the woods on my left. 
They had scarcely entered the woods when they met the enemy's skirmishers, and 
from their number and the length of the line I inferred that they had a large force to 
back them. Shortly after they opened a heavy fire to my left and rear beyond the 
■woods I had thrown my skirmishers in, which I afterward learned was the attack of 
the enemy upon Bohlen's brigade, which had crossed the river below me. It now be- 
ing sundown, and not being allowed to bring any force across, I returned, my brigade 
resting for the night without change of position. 

At 7 a. m., 23d received orders to move in the direction of Sulphur Springs, my bri- 
gade bring up the rear of the corps. When a short distance en route I was directed to 
take a road on my left, a rougher but shorter route to the Springs, the main body of 
the corps having continued on the main road. Upon coming into the main road 
again I found myself in advance of the corps. When within a mile ofthe bridge 
across Great Run I found our cavalry in line of battle behind the woods. Upon in- 
quiring the cause, I was informed that the enemy were in force at and acro:;s the run 
and had fired on them. Upon this information I passed them with my brigade, and 
finding the rebel guns in position across the creek, I placed my battery in a command- 
ing position on this side and commenced shelling them, at the same time throwing my 
infantry into the woods, who soon found and opened a brisk fire into the rebel in- 
fantry in front of them on our side of the creek, my men being exposed from the com- 
mencement to a cross fire of grape and canister from a masked battery across the 
creek. But notwithstanding all these odds we soon forced them across the creek and 
to retire for protection behind their guns. The enemy having torn up the bridge, and it 
now being dark, I encamped my brigade for the night a short distance back from the 
banks of the creek. 

Next morning, 24th, a strong pioneer force having been put to work on the bridge 
to repair for our artillery to cross, I crossed my infantry upon the sleepers, not wait- 
ing for my cavalry or artillery. I deployed a strong skirmishing party and was soon 
on the track of the enemy, who had fallen back during the night to their main body, 
which had crossed the river by the bridge at Sulphur Springs, my skirmishers advanc- 
ing as far as the Springs. As soon as my infantry appeared on the hights command- 
ing the bridge across Hedgeman's river, the enemy, who were in position, opened fire 
from the opposite shore. I sent back for my battery and returned this fire. The other 
batteries of the corps soon coming up, a general artillery engagement ensued, which 
resulted in our driving their gunners away, leaving their pieces very temptingly dis- 
played. Wishing to take advantage of this unexpected opportunit}' in securing their 
guns, I had just crossed the bridge, with one of my regiments following close behind, 
and when nearly in reach of the prize found myself in a hornet's nest. As if by 
magic the hills and woods became alive with the enemy ; the deserted batteries were 
suddenly manned and a semi-circle of guns, nearly a mile around us, commenced 
pouring a steady stream of shell and canister upon the bridge. I called to my regi- 



POPE'S CAMPAIGN. i8i 

ment, which was then crossing, to retire, which it did in very good order and rapid 
stj'le. Our batteries immediately responded to their fire, thus drawing their attention 
away from us. In a moment the air was fairly alive with shot and shell, and I took 
advantage of their elevation to join my command. At this juncture I received orders 
to take the advance of the corps in the direction of Waterloo Bridge, six miles above 
Warrenton Springs. I got my brigade in motion and arrived at the bridge at about 
5 p. ?,!. I placed Dieckmann's battery in position on a commanding eminence on the 
left of the road and near the bridge, immediately opening fire upon a rebel battery 
across the river, at the same time throwing my skirmishers down near the bridge and 
along the bank, where they were soon engaging the rebel skirmishers. Thus matters 
stood when darkness partially put an end to the firing, but the enemy opened on us 
furiously several times during the night with small arms, which was promptly re- 
plied to. 

On the morning of the 25th the batteries on both sides opened again and continued 
through the day without serious loss to us. About 3 p. m. I received orders to burn 
the bridge at once at all hazards, and to this end brought forward my four regiments 
of infantry to engage the enemy's infantry, concealed in the woods near the bridge on 
the opposite bank. By keeping up a steady artillery and infantry fire, I succeeded in 
covering a party firing the bridge, which, being of heavy oak, burned but slowly, and 
it was not till dark that the bridge was entirely consumed. We then received orders 
to march to Warrenton, my brigade to bring up the rear of the corps. We left about 
g p. M. and arrived at Warrenton ne.xt morning at daylight. Here we remained in 
camp until the morning of the 27th, when we received orders to take the advance in 
the direction of Gainesville. 

My cavalry, upon arriving at Broad Run, within four miles of Gainesville, found 
the bridge on fire and the rebel cavalry, with one piece of artillery, drawn up on the 
opposite side. Maj. Krepps commanding my cavalry detachment, immediately or- 
dered a charge, and after two successive charges succeeded in putting them to flight. 
By this time my infantry had arrived and I set the pioneer corps to work repairing the 
bridge, which was executed with such promptness that in fifteen minutes after we 
were enabled to cross our artillery. Meanwhile I had pushed ahead with my cavalry 
and infantry in the direction of Gainesville. When within two miles of Gainesville, 
I sent a platoon of cavalry with a regiment of infantry and a section of my battery to 
hold the road leading to Hay Market station. With the rest of the brigade I contin- 
ued on the main road, and upon approaching Gainesville found we had intercepted 
Longstrect from joining Jackson, Ewell and Hill, who had just passed up the railroad 
toward Manassas Junction. At Gainesville we took some 200 prisoners, stragglers 
from Jackson's army. There received orders to halt my brigade for the night. 

SF.COND BULL RUN. 

This historic battle was opened on the morning of August 29th, by 
Milroy's brigade, and some fierce fighting was done. The confederate 
forces were in position from Groveton to Sudley Ford, Jackson's left, 
under Hill, stretched northward toward Sudley Ford on the Bull Run; 
then came Ewell's division under Lawton, in the centre; then Jackson's 
own division, now commanded by Starke, on the right, resting near the 
little hamlet of Groveton. His force lay mainly behind an abandoned 
railroad, whose deep cuttings formed a strong intrenchment, and the 
ground was thickly wooded. The confederate artillery was mainly 
massed in on low ridges in the rear of the right. Jackson's front fell back 
about half a mile until they reached the abandoned railroad, where a 
fierce combat ensued. Gen. Milroy's brigade formed the centre of the 



l82 POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 

corps, and took |)ossession of an elevation in front of the "Stone 
House" at the junction of ihe (lainesviUe and Sudley Springs 
roads, den. Schur/. formed ihc light and den. Schenck's di- 
vision the left. Our brigade was thus again placed face to face 
with the old Stonewall forces, whose bravery and prowess we had 
to meet in a most sanguinary conflict. It seemed to be our fate to fight 
this gallant command. Our first experience was at McDowell, then at 
Cross Keys, and now at Oroveton, on the historic fields of Bull Run. 
The confederates had the a(l\'antage of being sheltered by the rail- 
road cut, equal to breastworks, where the\' could meet our as- 
saults, and be in less danger than we were. In the order of battle 
named, we advanced from point to point, taking advantage of the ground 
before us, until our whole line was involved in a terrific artillery and in- 
fantry contest. For four hours, 6:30 to 10:30 a. m., our whole force 
was hotly engaged, our brigade and Scliurz' ad\ancing one mile, while 
Schenck advanced two miles. The confederates being driven behind 
the embankment, the order was given to drive them out if possible, when 
Milroy and Schurz charged fiercely upon the entrenched forces of the 
enemy, but were driven back with great loss; the charge was re])eated 
and again repulsed. The enemy then threw forward large masses of in- 
fantry against our right, but was driven back three times by the troops 
of Milroy and Schurz, who stood like veterans, but were now so hard 
pressed by the overpowering numbers hurled against them, and so weak- 
ened by losses and exhausted by fatigue, that reinforcements were sent 
to them, and the attacks of the enemy were quieted for a time. At 2 
o'clock in the afternoon, some regiments were sent forward to relieve 
Milroy's brigade, which had maintained their ground for 8 hours against 
greatly superior numbers, and suffered great loss in dead and wounded. 
Tlie second day's battle was as fierce as the first, in which our brigade 
took a prominent part. Sigel was informed by I'ojje that it was his in- 
tention on the 30th, to "break the enemy's left," and that lie, with the 
First Corps, should hold the center, with Gen. Reno on the right, and 
Gen. Reynolds on the left. Sigel's corps took position behind Grove- 
ton, on the right of the Gainesville turnpike. In our immediate front 
was massed apparently the whole force of the enemy. Gen. Reynolds 
on the left, was in a heavy fire of musketry and artillery, while Gen, 
Porter went to the front, into the woods where our corps lost so heavily 
the day before, and became engaged with the enemy, who were sheltered 
behind the same old railroad cut. At the same time the enemy opened 
with shell and solid shot against our center and left wing. Thus the 
battle continued, and about 5 i". m., Gen. Sigel recei\ed a dispatch 
through Gen. McDowell, and written h\ Gen. Porter, requesting Mc- 
Dowell to "push Sigel "forward," and the latter immediately made ar- 
rangements to comply with the order. \\'hile executing his movements 
Gen. Porter's troops came out of the woods in prett_\- good order, bring- 



POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 183 

ing a great number of wounded with them. In reply to a question from 
Gen. Sigel why they were retiring so soon, they said they were out of 
ammunition. Sigel then held his troops well together to prepare for any 
movement of the enemy. Incessant volleys of musketry betrayed the 
enemy in great force on our left, and Milroy was senf there to assist 
Mclvean's brigade. The fighting became terrific, constant and furious. 
Gen. Milroy, with his brigade, and some other regiments, which he had 
brought forward, repulsed the enemy on the left with great loss, the 
General having his horse shot under him. Our forces on the left, who 
had met the furious assaults of the enemy, were overpowered and came 
rushing out of the woods, panic stricken and demoralized, leaving Mil- 
roy to face the advancing and exultant foe, who followed our men to 
the edge of the woods. The official report of Gen. Milroy, relates in 
graphic language the fight that then took place between his forces and 
the enemy. A better contested line was not maintained in the battle, 
and despite the superior numbers against us, we held our ground until 
the attack at that point ceased. The battle on this evening was one of 
the most furious and determined of the war, and only the superior 
strength of the enemy, prevented a complete and glorious victory by our 
troops. The whole field seemed to be alive with the bursting and 
screaming shells, which filled the air with missiles of destruction, and a 
dense smoke, the incarnation of the horrors of war. Amid all that de- 
struction, in the very presence of death, with men falling in every direc- 
tion, our brave boys stood to the work, and none more nobly than our 
own regiment. 

In this destructive battle, the loss of the enemy in killed and wounded 
was 8,400, while our total loss in killed and wounded was over 10,000. 
The loss of our brigade was 70 killed and 2S6 wounded, being tenth in 
the order of losses, dead and wounded, out of 46 brigades that took 
part' in the battles, and eighth in the order of the number killed. The 
total number of our brigade in the campaign was 2,507, and many of 
these were sick and unable for duty long before the ten days' fighting be- 
gan, and not over 2,000 were actively engaged, showing a loss of fully 
18 per cent, in this brief campaign alone. It was a severe, hard cam- 
paign, and our brigade was handled with a skill and bravery not ex- 
celled by any brigade in the entire army. Both Gens. Pope and Sigel 
referred in the highest terms of praise, to the gallant conduct of Gen. 
Milroy's brigade, and great credit was given it for the excellent work 
done by it. In the terrible and unequal fight on the 29th, when the 
Second was sent to support the Fifth Virginia and Eighty-second Ohio, 
the regiment lost fully one-fifth of all its members present, killed and 
wounded, in a very few minutes, and yet the next day the brave boys left 
took their places, and with the rest of the brigade, now scarcely more 
than a regiment, held in check the force of rebels that had turned the 
left flank of our army, which is re])orted fully in Gen. Milroy's report. 



1 84 POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 

The men of the regiment had full} proved Ihcir l)ra\erv, skill and 
tenacity of purpose, and if lhe\ had ncser fought a battle afterwaril, 
they would have had glory enough for one regiment. The fighting on 
this day was as severe as an\ that our regiment e\er experienced, and 
those who were in the vicinitv of that left Hank on that occasion, will 
never forget it as long as meinor}- lasts. The panic stricken, stamped- 
ing forces, that we were sent to reinforce, were fairl}- mowed down b)- 
the rebel batteries, and had our brigade not been protected as it was, the 
carnage must have been h(>rril)]c. 

The losses in our brigade were as follows : Third \'irginia, 8 killed 
and 31 wounded; Fifth \'irginia, 13 killed and 62 wounded: I^ighty- 
second Ohio, 24 killed and 99 wounded; batter\-. i killed and 4 wounded; 
Second Virginia, 24 killed and 90 wounded. (Jur regiment sustained 
more than one third of the losses of the brigade. The following are the 
names of the brave men who were killed in our regiment: ]. \\. McMil- 
len. Company B; August Davis, John V>. ^\'iley, Company C'; Ira Chase, 
James Quest, Company D; Lieut. H. 15. James, Ceo. S. I5utcher, Rob't 
M. Adams, Jacob W. Cox, Elijah Hall, Jacob Ritchie, Thomas Smith, 
Company E; John Murry, Peter Cassidy, Alex. Dunn, James A. (Gard- 
ner, Company F; Henry Bnrskell, Michael Keville, Ceorge Kramer, 
Theodore Martin, Charles Schmitz, Fritz Strickel, Com])any H; Chris 
Deitrick, James Gradner, Company K. 

The following is Gen. Milroy's report of the work of his brigade in 
this battle : 

Next morning, 28tli, I took the advance toward Manassas Junction, arriving within 
a mile of the Junction at noon. I halted to await further orders. I accordingly turned 
my infantry aside into the shade of the woods and sent my artillery ahead as far as 
the Junction, there being no water for theni nearer. I'pon \-isiting the railroad sta- 
tion at the Junction I found an immense amount of go\ernment stores in cars, which 
were yet burning, having been set on fire by the rebels the night previous, after hav- 
ing helped themselves to all they could carry off. At 3 p. m. I received orders to join 
the rest of the corps, then marching in the direction of New Market. I accordingly 
moved across the country aud soon overtook them. After marching about an hour 
skirmishing commenced in front. I was ordered to go forward and take position on 
Schenck's left, and pressed forward through the woods and underbrush in the direction 
of the rebel firing, which seemed to recede as I advanced. It finally grew dark, but 
I pushed forward in the direction of the firing, which had gradually grown into the 
thunder of a desperate battle. It becoming so dark, and the nature of ground not 
admitting of my battery being pushed forward, I left it in charge of two companies of 
infantry and started forward with my four regiments in the direction of the heavy 
firing, which suddenly ceased with great shouting, indicating, as we judged, a victory 
by the rebels. It being now 9 o'clock, and the darkness rendering the recognition of 
friend or foe impossible, I withdrew to my battery, which was on a line with the front 
of the corps, then fully a mile in my rear, resting my brigade here for the night. 

On the following morning, the 2gth, at daylight, I was ordered to proceed in search 
of the rebels, and had not proceeded more than 500 yards when we were greeted by a 
few straggling shots from the woods in front. We were now at the creek and I had 
just sent forward my skirmishers, when I received orders to halt and let the men have 
breakfast. While they were cooking, myself, accompanied by Gen.Schenck,rode up to 



POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 185 

the top of an eminence, some 500 yards to the front, to reconnoiter. We had no sooner 
reached the top than we were greeted by a shower of musket balls from the woods on 
our right. I immediately ordered up my battery and gave the bushwhackers a few 
shot and shell, which soon cleared the woods, Soon after, I discovered the enemy in 
great force about three-quarters of a mile in front of us, upon our right of the pike 
leading from Gainesville to Alexandria. I brought up my two batteries and opened 
upon them, causing them to fall back. I then moved forward my brigade, with 
skirmishers deployed, and continued to advance my regiments, the enemy falling back. 

Gen. Schenck's division was off to my left and that of Gen. Schurz to my right. 
After passing a piece of woods, I turned to the right, where the rebels had a battery 
that gave us a great deal of trouble. I brought forward one of my batteries to reply 
to it, and soon after heard a tremendous fire of small arms, and knew that Gen. 
Schurz was hotly engaged to my right in an extensive forest. I sent two of my regi- 
ments, 82d Ohio and Fifth Virginia, to Gen. Schurz's assistance. They were to attack 
the enemy's right flank, and I h,eld my other two regiments in reserve for a time. 
The two regiments sent to Schurz were soon hotly engaged, the enemy being behind a 
railroad embankment, which afforded them an excellent breastwork. 

The railroad had to be approached from the cleared ground on our side through a 
strip of thick timber from 100 to 500 yards in width. I had intended with the two 
regiments held in reserve, Second and Third Virginia, to charge the rebel battery, 
which was but a short distance from us over the top of the hill to our left, but while 
making my arrangements to do this I observed that my two regiments engaged were 
being driven back out of the woods by the terrible fire of the rebels. 

I then saw the brave Cols. Cantwell and Zeigler struggling to rally their broken 
regiments on the rear of the forest out of which they had been driven, and sent two of 
my aides to assist them and assure them of immediate support. They soon rallied 
their men and charged again and again up to the railroad, but were driven back each 
time with great loss. I then sent the Second Virginia to their support, directing it to 
approach the railroad at the point on the left of my other regiments, where the woods 
ended, but they were met with such a destructive fire from a large rebel force that 
they were soon thrown into confusion and fell back in disorder. The enemy now 
came on in overwhelming numbers. Gen. Carl Schurz had been obliged to retire with 
his two brigades an hour before, and then the whole rebel force was turned against my 
brigade, and my brave lads were dashed back before the storm of bullets like chaff 
before the tempest. I then ordered my reserve battery into position a short distance 
in the rear, and when five guns had got into position, one of the wheel horses was 
shot dead, but I ordered it unlimbered where they were, and the six guns mowed the 
rebels with grape and canister with fine effect. My reserve regiment. Third Virginia, 
now opened with telling effect. Col. Cantwell, of the 82d Ohio, was shot through the 
brain and instantly killed while trying to rally his regiment during the thickest of the 
fight. 

While the storm was raging the fiercest Gen. Stahel came to me and reported that 
he had been sent by Gen. Schenck to support me, and inquired where he should place 
his brigade. I told him on my left and help support my battery. He then returned 
to his brigade, and soon after, being attacked from another quarter, I did not again 
see him during the day. I was then left wholly unsupported, except by a portion of 
a Pennsylvania regiment, which I found on the field, and stood by me bravely during 
the next hour or two. I then rallied my reserved regiment and broken fragments in 
the woods near my battery and sent out a strong party of skirmishers to keep the 
enemy at bay, while another party went forward without arms to get off as many of 
our dead and wounded as possible. I maintained my ground, skirmishing, and occasion- 
ally firing by battalion, during the greater part of the afternoon. 

Toward evening Gen. Grover came up with his New England brigade. I saw him 
forming a line to attack the rebel stronghold in the same place I had been all day, and 
M 



1 86 POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 

advised him to form line more to the left and charge bayonets on arriving at the rail- 
road track, which his brigade executed with such telling effect as to drive the rebels in 
clouds before their bayonets. Meanwhile I had gathered the remnant of my brigade 
ready to take advantage of any opportunity to assist him. I soon discovered a large 
number of rebels fleeing before the left flank of Grovcr's brigade. They passed over 
an open space some 500 yards in width in front of my reserved regiment, which I or- 
dered to fire on them, which they did, accelerating their speed and discomfiture so 
much that I ordered a charge. My regiment immediately dashed out of the woods we 
were in, down across the meadows in front of us after the retreating foe, but before 
their arriving at the other side of the meadow the retreating column received a hea\y 
support from the railroad below them, and, soon rallying, came surging back, driving 
before their immense columns Groxer's brigade and my handful of men. 

An hour before the charge I had sent one of my aides back after a fresh battery — 
the ammunition of both my batteries having given out — whicli arriving as our boys 
were being driven back, I immediately ordered them into position and commenced 
pouring a steady fire of grape and canister into the advancing columns of the enemy. 
The first discharge discomposed them a little, but the immense surging mass behind 
pressed them on us. I held on until they were within 100 yards of us, and having 
but a handful of men to support the battery, ordered it to retire, whicli was executed 
with the loss of one gun. I then rallied the shattered remnants of my brigade, which 
had been rallied by my aides and its officers, and encamped some three-quarters of a 
mile to the rear. 

The next morning, 30th, I brought my brigade into position assigned them, and re- 
mained in reserve until about 4 p. m., when I threw it across the road to stop the 
retreating masses which had been driven back from the front. I soon received an 
order to move my brigade off to the left on double quick, the enemy having massed 
their troops during the day in order to turn our left flank. I formed line of battle 
along the road, my left resting near the edge of the woods in which the battle was 
raging. Soon our troops came rushing, panic stricken, out of the woods, leaving my 
brigade to face the enemy, who followed the retreating masses to the edge of the 
woods. The road in which my brigade was formed was worn and washed from three 
to five feet deep, affording a splendid cover for my men. My boys opened fire on 
them at short range, driving the rebels back to a respectful distance. But the rebels, 
being constantly reinforced from the masses in their rear, came on again and again, 
pouring in advance a hurricane of balls, which had but little effect on my men, who 
were so well protected in their road intrenchraent. But the steady fire of my brigade 
together with that of a splendid brass battery on higher ground in my rear, which I 
ordered to fire rapidly with canister over the heads of my men, had a most withering 
effect on the rebels, whose columns melted away and fast recoiled from repeated 
efforts to advance upon my road breastwork from the woods. But the fire of the 
enemy, which had affected my men so little, told with destructive results on the ex- 
posed battery in their rear, and it required a watchful effort to hold them to their 
effective work. My horse was shot in the head by a musket ball while in the midst 
of the battery cheering on the men. I got another, and soon after observing the 
troops on my left giving way in confusion before the rebel fire, I hastened to assist in 
rallying them, and while engaged in this the battery took advantage of my absence 
and withdrew. 

I had sent one of my aides shortly before to the rear for fresh troops to support 
this part of our line, where the persistent efforts of the rebels showed they had deter- 
mined to break through. A fine regiment of regulars was sent, which was formed in 
the rear of my brigade, near the position the battery had occupied. The rebels came 
around the forest in columns to our right and front, but the splendid firing of the 
regulars with that of my brigade, thinned their ranks so rapidly, that they were 
thrown back in confusion upon every attempt made. ■•" * - * ■•■ * 



POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 187 

Shortly after sunset my own brigade had entirely exhausted their ammunition, and 
it being considered unsafe to bring forward the ammunition wagons where the enemy's 
shells were constantly flying and exploding, and the enemy having entirely ceased 
their efforts to break through this part of the line and had thrown the'weight of their 
attack still farther to the left, I ordered my brigade back some one-half of a mile to 
replenish their ammunition boxes and there await further orders. I remained on the 
field. ***s**vf;^ ****** 

Feeling certain that the rebels had been completely checked and defeated in their 
attempt to flank us and drive us from the field, I felt wc could now securely hold 
it until morning, by which time we could rally our scattered forces and bring up suffi- 
cient fresh troops to enable us to gain a complete victory on the morrow. I felt cer- 
tain that the rebels had put forth their mightiest efforts and were greatly cut up and 
crippled ; I, therefore, determined to look up my little brigade and bring it forward 
into position, when we would be ready in the morning to renew the contest. * * * 
I left the field about 8 p. m. in possession of our gallant boys, started back in the 
darkness, and was greatly surprised, upon coming to where I expected to find my 
brigade, with thousands of other troops, to find none. I kept on a half mile further 
in painful, bewildering doubt and uncertainty, when I found you, general, and first 
learned from you, with agonizing surprise, that our whole army had been ordered to 
retreat back across Bull Run to Centreville. "' •'■ * * ■" "" * 

On the 3d of September, the brigade was in the defences at Washing- 
ington, and the army of Virginia, which had fought and suffered so 
heavily, was merged into the army of the Potomac. We were so used 
up by our campaigning, that we were left in the defenses, while fresher 
troops met Lee in Maryland, and defeated him at Antietam. We lay 
here until the 29th of September, drilling, recuperating, and enjoying 
occasional visits to the capital, when we were ordered to return to West- 
ern Virginia. 

BATTERY G. 

On the 25th of July, Capt. Ewing received orders to turn over his 
guns at Warrenton, and the company was virtually disbanded, the men 
being divided among other batteries, Buell's and Dieckmann's batteries 
receiving the main portion. On the first of August Capt. Ewing was 
detailed as ordinance officer on Sigel's staff. Lieutenants Morton and 
Shearer were in West Virginia with a part of the battery, and had no 
part in this campaign. Orderly Sergeant Rook with one sergeant and 
eighteen men, was placed in charge of the four caissons, battery wagon 
and forge, and ordered to report to Capt. Buell, who had command of 
Sigel's artillery reserve corps. Stephen Ripley and two or three others 
were with the captain at Sigel's headquarters, handling ordinance and 
acting as aids on the general's staff. Sergeant H. A. Evans was assigned 
to Capt. Buell's staff, and was a witness of that gallant officer's death, 
receiving his death wound on the 22d at Kelly's Ford. Gen. Milroy's 
graphic report of the work of the artillery that day, tells in an interest- 
ing way of the hard fighting, and of the discomfiture of the enemy. 
While Capt. Buell's guns were sending hot shot into the ranks of the 
confederates, Sergeant Evans rode up to the captain to make a report, 
when a shell screamed through the air, struck and passed through the 



1 88 POPE'S CAMPAIGN. 

captain's horse, and striking and mortally wounding the gallant captain, 
who died from the wounds the next day. Sergeant I''vans then returned 
to Buell's battery, now commanded by Lieut. Hill, and look command 
of the right piece of the left section, to whicli lie had been formerl}- as- 
signed. 

Dieckmann's battery, to which a part of battery G men were assigned, 
is specially mentioned in (len. Milroy's report of the engagement at 
Waterloo bridge, where for parts of two days they made things lively for 
the enemy. They were near the bridge, and vigorously shelled the op- 
posing forces, while Lieut. Frisbee and his brave men were burning the 
old bridge. Before the advance to Waterloo bridge, Milroy's forces had 
a severe fight, which tested the endurance of the men, and shov,'ed the 
skill of our gunners. 

The bloody work was continued, and at Bull Run the batteries with 
which our boys were connected, won imperishable renown. Buell's 
battery on the first day was actively engaged, the section in which Bat- 
tery G boys served, being sent to Gen. Heintzelman, and were put in 
Gen. Kearney's division, where they had to meet and repel the attack of 
the confederate cavalry, firing all their ammunition, and then falling 
back to the rear. They refilled their caissons, and on the second day 
the section was ordered to the left, and had only got into i)osition when 
Sergeant Davis of Buell's battery was shot, and the command of the 
section devolved on Sergeant Evans of battery G. This was the end 
section on the left, and when the confederates made their charge on the 
batteries, it was one of the tightest places of the battle. Good work 
had been done by the gunners, and the forces of the advancing, exult- 
ant enemy were considerably punished, as they charged forward, but 
despite all the hard fighting, they could not be stayed, antl they broke 
through our lines. The section was out of ammunition except some 
canister, when the order was given to fall back. One of the guns was 
loaded to the muzzle with the canister, and when the confederate infantry 
came steadily forward in a solid mass, with bayonets fixed and with the 
determination to sweep all before them, and when within fifty or sixty 
feet of the gun, our men fired right into their faces, with terrible destruc- 
tion. They did not stop for an instant, nor did they fire a shot, but 
pressed forward. The battery immediately started for the rear, and 
the confederate officer gave the command to fire, when the air seemed 
to be fairly blue with the explosion, the bullets whistling and singing, 
carrying death with them, three gunners and two drivers being killed, 
among the rest being Albert Kiricaid of battery G, a brave, noble young 
man, loved by all his comrades. The sections were reunited at 
Arlington Heights, and went with Milroy's brigade back to ^^'estern 
Virginia. 



CHAPTER XII. 



RETURN TO WESTERN VIRGINIA. 




E IJOARDED the cars in Washington and arrived at Pitts- 
burgh at midnight, September 30th. Here we were taken in 
charge by the sanitary commission, and given such treatment 
by the noble women of that grand organization, as we had not had since 
we left our homes at the beginning of the war. We were received in old 
city hall, where the ])atriotic women fed and cheered the tired and worn 
men, and rendered such service that it was an inspiration to us for 
future dangers and hardships. No words too strong have ever been 
written or uttered, in commendation of the cheerful services of these 
loyal, christian women, aided and backed by the noble work of the 
churches and organizations. So long as life lasts, and memory recalls 
the past, so long will the loyal soldiers of our country who passed 
through Pittsburgh, remember and bless these staunch and loyal sup- 
porters of their country. October ist the Pennsylvania companies of 
the regiment were granted a furlough of two days, and they separated 
for a brief visit to their homes, the other companies going to Wheeling. 
At the close of our brief visit home, our companies were sent to Wheel- 
ing, thence to Parkersburg, and then started on a march to Point Pleas- 
ant, opposite the mouth of the Big Kanawha, where the regiment had 
gone. We met them on the 15th near the Point, returning to Parkers- 
burg, and joined them, arriving at Parkersburg on the 17th. Thence 
we went to Clarksburg, where we were .supplied with an outfit o^ winter 
clothing, ready for the arduous work before us. We left here on the 
2ist, arriving at Puckhannon on the 22d, where we lay in camp for a 
few days. We resumed our march on the 28th, arriving in Beverly on 
the 29th, where we laid out a camp and settled down. On the 4th of 
November, Company B was ordered to Bealington, and Company H. 
to Leading Creek, to guard the road over which our supplies were to 
come. By the middle of the month all the troops were taken from 
Beverly except the eight companies of our regiment^ and we were 



igo RETURN TO WESTERN VIRGINIA. 

ordered to drill about four hours per day, besides watching the counties 
about us, and doing our utmost to checkmate General Imboden, one of 
the boldest of the partisan rangers in Western Virginia. We were left 
undisturbed by him until the night of December 3d, when the regiment 
was called into line of battle, and rested on their arms until daylight. 
Our discovery of his approach, thus preventing a surprise, caused 
Imboden to retrace his steps, and the quiet of camp life was renewed. 
While at Leading Creek, Samuel Lyons, Richard Robinson and two or 
three others of Company H, were sent over on Cheat river on a scout- 
ing expedition, and when there camped in a farm house. Not posting 
their pickets at every avenue of approach, they were surprised to see 
three rebels stalk into the house, who were unaware of the presence of 
any Yankees. Our boys were wide awake, however, and at once covered 
the intruders with their guns, compelling them to surrender, and brought 
them prisoners into camp. 

While located here, we were detached from Cen. Milroy's command, 
much to the grief of the men. He was placed in command at Win- 
chester, and promoted to major general of volunteers, in recognition of 
his efficient services. Our regiment at once passed a set of resolutions, 
congratulating the general on his well deserved promotion, to which he 
responded with the following characteristic letter: 

Headquarters Second Division Eighth Army Corps, \ 
Winchester, Va., March 31, 1863. ( 

Lieut. Col. Scott, ft al.. Second Virginia Regiment. 

Gentlemen: Your favor of the loth, congratulating me on my promotion to the rank of 
major general in the volunteer service of the United States, was duly received. To 
say that I thank you for your friendly congratulations and your expressions of feeling 
toward me, but poorly expresses my emotions, coming, as the congratulations do, 
from the Second Virginia Volunteer Infantry, one of the oldest of the West Virginia 
regiments in the present war, and one of the many West Virginia regiments that I 
have had the honor to command — a regiment justly entitled to be called veterans, for 
long, arduous and faithful service, through winter storms and summer suns, through 
pitiless cold, and rain, and mud, through burning heat and stifling dust, through the 
thunder and din of battle — always on hand for the march or scout, skirmish or battle 
—a regiment to whose valor I am much indebted for the honorable promotion recently 
conferred on me by our government; congratulations from a regiment who have so 
long known me, followed me, and became endeared to me by a companionship of 
dangerous trials and privations, excite feelings which can be better appreciated than 
described. I thank you for the very flattering mention made of me in connection 
with the noble and patriotic resolutioii^ you have adopted, which meet my most hearty 
approval. Please give my most heartfelt greeting to your brave boys, and say to them 
that I much regret that our temporary separation has been so long and unpleasantly 
extended ; but I hope for its termination soon and to have the pleasure of the com- 
pany of brave old Second Virginia with me in the coming campaign. 

Robert H. Milroy, Major General. 

We lay in camp in this place for six long months, but found it no easy 

duty. Nearly the whole of the time not over six hundred men formed 

our command, Capt. Ewing's battery being with us most of the time. 

We fixed up our tents into winter quarters with the help of some boards, 



RETURN TO WESTERN VIRGINIA. 191 

as best we could, and had as comfortable homes as could be expected 
under the circumstances. While the weather remained pleasant, the 
drilling was almost continuous, but it was child's play to the severe 
scouting in which we were almost constantly engaged, during the whole 
of the winter. In January, 1863, Brig. Gen. Moor was placed in com- 
mand of our brigade, which was known as the "Northern Brigade." 

Surgeon Hazlett relates the following incident: "On a crisp morning 
in November, the colonel, myself and an orderly, mounted, and armed 
with Spencer rifles, went to Shaffer mountain to hunt deer. Near the 
base of the mountain we were joined by W, an old hunter, a typical 
Virginia mountaineer, thoroughly familiar with the habits of the game 
we were after, a quiet, unobtrusive man. The colonel and orderly went 
along the base of the mountain, and W and I followed a bridle path to 
the crest of the mountain. While walking along I questioned ray com- 
panion on the subject of buck-ague. Yes, he had heard of it, he missed 
his first deer in that way. I desired W to give me the first shot, and I 
would disprove the existence of buck-ague, to which he agreed. We 
soon reached the top, where we secreted ourselves to wait until the re- 
port of the colonel's gun should startle the herd. Soon the reports of 
two gun shots notified us that the colonel had found game. With eager 
ex])ectation I braced myself in the stirrups, raised the lock hammer of 
my carbine, which was charged with an ounce ball and cartridge, and 
awaited the comer. 'There he comes,' said W, and looking up the 
crest there came a line buck. 'Don't fire until I give the bleat,' said 
W, who stood almost behind me. This cry, very similar to the bleat 
of a sheep, W. uttered, when the deer was about fifty yards from us. 
'Shoot,' cried W, which I did, and down dropped the buck. Elated 
with my success, I proudly announced that I had aimed for the left fore- 
shoulder. On reaching the deer, W cut its throat, and pointing to the 
left fore-shoulder, said there was where the bullet struck. I was in an 
ecstacy of delight, and I remarked that he would find that my ball had 
passed entirely through the deer. I rubbed my hands and declared I 
had 'busted' the buck-ague theory. The animal was examined but no 
trace of my bullet could be found, but a small bullet, not much larger 
than a buck shot was taken out. W was silent, gazing steadfastly at the 
bullet. He then remarked: 'Mighty curious thing this buck-ague. 
I never knew it to fail, every fellow misses his first deer sure, and if you 
think you hadn't the buck-ague, juSl: look at your gun.' I did so, and 
found the hammer <jf the lock raised and the charge not exploded. W 
had shot the deer and the report of his gun I mistook for my own. I 
besought and implored W not to expose me, humbly ackowledging that 
I had it bad, and he kept my secret." 

November 4, 1S62, Col. Latham issued orders to Capt. Ewing, as 
follows: "You will have as many of your men as arms can be obtained 
for ready to march at a moment's notice, without tents or camp equip- 



192 RETURN TO WESTERN VIRGINIA. 

age, but all mounted, as they will be used for cavalry." The next day 
Gen Milroy issued the following orders to the captain : You will imme- 
diately send out eighteen men, in different directions, for the jjurpose of 
hiring transportation, etc." Ten days later, the general ordered: "C'apt. 
Ewing's Company G, Second Regiment Virginia Infantry, will re- 
port to the regiment for duty, and are hereby detailed to act as artiller- 
ists until further orders." The captain remarks drily that there were 
very few companies in the army that were required to be infantry, cav- 
alry and artillery all at the same time. 

On February loth, an expedition consisting of sixty cavalry and sev- 
enty-five infantry, commanded by Capt. C. T. Ewing, was sent to Poco- 
hontas county to capture confederate recruiting parties and stores. They 
secured 13 prisoners, 152 head of cattle, 15 horses and mules, and a 
large number of arms without any loss or accident on our side. April 
i8th, an expedition was sent to Franklin, taking it by surprise, capturing 
a few prisoners. Our loss was two men wounded, but not of our regi- 
ment. These are but a few of the many scouting parties sent out, the 
work being almost incessant and of the most exhausting character. The 
picket duty was also heavy, and the service throughout was very severe. 

On March 12th an election was held in the regiment for the erection 
of Western Virginia into a separate State, and all the qualified voters 
performed their duty, giving an overwhelming majority in favor of the 
new State. About the ist of April, Brig. Gen.Benj.S. Roberts was placed in 
command of our brigade, to try his fortune in the peculiar warfare of 
the mountain region. 

On the 24th of April, our little command, consisting of less than 900 
men, was attacked by a large force of confederates, consisting of infan- 
try, cavalry and artillery. In the morning Frank Ferris, sheriff of Ran- 
dolph county, was out on some business, and was shot through the 
breast by the advance of the confederates. He rode to our pickets, in 
charge of Sergeant Wm. F. Graebe, Company C, and gave the alarm, 
the first intimation we had of the approach of an enemy, and they were 
then but eighteen miles distant. The last, heroic act, of the sheriff, was 
to apprise the small garrison of its danger, and then yield his life. We 
hastily prepared for defense, but before we were ready to make the best 
of our circumstances, the confederates came down the valley in force, 
on both sides of the river, evidently intending to cut off our retreat and 
capture us. As soon as they came within range, our artillery opened on 
them, and soon skirmishing was begun on our left, which was kept up 
briskly for some time. The force of the enemy on the right stopped 
behind some timber, and Company F was sent to engage them. But 
our men were unable to stem the strong force they met, and it being 
ascertained that the enemy were endeavoring to surround us, our colonel 
deemed it wise to withdraw, which was done in good order, the enemy 
being baffled at all. points in their efforts to cut us off. We left the town 



FRANK FE^RRIS — Reported dead, lines ^3 and 34, page 192, incor- 
rect. He recovered from his severe wounds, and is yet living near 
Beverly, W. Va. 



RETURN TO WESTERN VIRGINIA. . 193 

about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, after firing the commissary stores, 
which were burned by order of General Roberts, to prevent them from 
falling into the hands of the enemy. While making our way to Lead- 
ing Creek, just as we were crossing a little stream that crossed the road, 
the confederate cavalry charged us, and several shots were fired, result- 
ing in the wounding of Henry Barnhart, Co. I, who was shot through the 
body and mortally wounded, dying on the 2Sth. Some of our men were 
captured in the charge. About four miles further we were again charged 
upon, the enemy being repulsed with such vigor and dash, that they 
then let us alone, not deeming it prudent to follow us so closely. We 
marched to Leading Creek that night, where we remained until morn- 
ing. Two more of the regiment were captured here while out on a 
foraging expedition. We continued our march to Bealington, where it 
was our intention to make a stand, and endeavor to force the enemy to 
battle, but we received orders from General Roberts to join him at once 
at Buckhannon. That night we camped at Phillippi, and the next even- 
ing, the 26th, we arrived at brigade headquarters, and were at once 
ordered into line of battle, but no enemy appearing, we went into camp. 
On the 27th we ambushed for a force of rebel cavalry, but they kept at 
a respectful distance, and we resumed our march, arriving at Weston in 
the evening, where we cantjied for the night. Before leaving this place 
we destroyed all the commissary stores, consisting of a large quantity of 
flour, beans, rice, sugar, etc. The next morning we continued our 
march, reaching Clarksburg about 10 o'clock at night, almost worn out. 
During the 29th and 30th we were constantly on the alert for some forces 
of the enemy that kept annoying us, but we could not get near enough 
to them to measure strength. Their policy was to worry us by persis- 
tent and unexpected assaults, and not to come to battle. The following 
is the official report of the fight made by Col. Geo. R. Latham, who 
was in command of the forces at Beverly, to General Roberts: 

On April 24th, about >j a. m., I received notice * * that the enemy was in 
force at Huttonville, eleven miles distant, and advancing. I immediately proceeded 
to the front with two companies of cavalry, advancing on both roads leading up the 
valley toward Huttonville. Having proceeded about five miles, we met their ad- 
vance guard on both roads. * * We fell back slowly, worrying and impeding 
the progress of the enemy wherever an advantage could be gained. At 12 m., the 
enemy being within two and a-half miles of Beverly, I repaired to the town to see that 
the troops were properly disposed the most successfully to meet the attack, as I was 
satisfied, from their steady and determined advance, and the rumbling of artillery in 
the rear, that they were in very considerable force, though from the thick fog, an es- 
timate was yet impossible. * "••■ "■ My force consisted of seven companies 
of the Second Virginia Infantry, numbering for duty 400 men ; five companies of the 
Eighth Virginia Infantry, 289 men ; Capt. Frank Smith's Independent Company of 
Ohio Cavalry, 98 men ; Capt. Hagan's Company A, First West Virginia Cavalry, 59 
men ; one section, consisting of one lo-pounder Parrott gun and a 6-pounder brass 
smooth bore, of Ewing's battery, 32 men, a total of 878 men, rank and file. I took 
a strong position on the south side of the town, commanding the entire valley and the 
turnpike above, but flanked by back roads on each side. In this position I placed 



194 RETURN TO WESTERN VIRGINIA. 

tlie I'arrott f;un and the Second Virginia, holding the detachment of the Eighth Virginia 
and the brass gun in reserve to watch the flanks. About 2 p. m. the action was opened 
with artillery and infantry, skirmishing at long range. A large force of the enemy's 
cavalry and part of his artillery was now seen advancing on the back road west of the 
valley toward the road leading from Beverly to Buckhannon and effectually turning 
our right. This movement it was impossible for us to counteract, though with the 
river intervening we were not in much danger of an actual attack from this force. 
The object of this movement was to prevent our retreat toward Buckhannon. Three 
regiments of his infantry were at the same time advancing cautiously through the 
woods, pressing back our skirmishers toward our front and left, his artillery playing 
directly in front, with two regiments of infantry in reserve. At 3 v. m. the action had 
become quite brisk along our whole line ; our skirmishers were driven in on our 
front and the enemy had advanced to within canister range. The commands of his 
officers could be distinctly heard, and he was pressing well beyond our left. Shortly 
after this I received your order to fall back. I immediately set my train in motion, 
destroyed the public stores of all kinds, and about 5 p. m. drew off my forces. The 
movement was executed in perfect order, and though the enemy pressed our rear for 
six miles, and twice charged us with his cavalry, there was no confusion, no hurry, no 
indecent haste. His cavalry charges were handsomely repulsed, and he learned to 
follow at a respectful distance. We marched this evening nine miles, and having 
gained a safe position, rested for the night, our pickets and those of the enemy being 
about one mile apart. '•■ •■ " In this affair we lost i man, believed to be 

killed, 2 wounded (i of Second Virginia), and 14 prisoners — 10 from the Second Vir- 
ginia, 2 from the Eighth Virginia and 1 from Capt. Smith's company. 

Brig. Gen. J. I). Imboden, in command of the confederate forces, 
in his official rei)ort, gives the number in his own immediate command 
about 1,825 men, and the number from Gen. Saml. Jones's command 
about 1,540, giving him an entire force of about 3,365 men. of which 
about 700 were mounted. He h:)st two men killed, three wounded and 
II prisoners, in all 16, at Beverly. 

■ When our forces were attacked, and it was seen that we were over- 
powered, Sergt. Geo. Jones and privates Martin Walters, Hugh Smith, 
William Weible and Thomas B. Richardson, of Company F, were de- 
tailed to guard the ford over the river. They held their position until 
the regiment was driven from the town, when they found that they were 
surrounded by the enemy, and that it was out of the question to rejoin 
their company. Surrender seemed to be the only w^ay out of the diffi- 
culty, but a consultaticm was held, and the boys determined that they 
would not surrender, but keep in hiding until an opportunity presented 
itself for escape. They lay in the bushes for two days and one night, and 
when the second night came, they were so hungry that another council of 
war was held, when it was decided to make a break for liberty; that 
they would proceed separately, to meet again at a place designated. 
They were successful in their efforts, and met as agreed upon. They 
then traveled together for about 15 miles, keeping in the woods, to 
make a distance of six miles; and then after all their care and maneuver- 
ing, they ran into the confederate pickets, who fired upon them, but 
fortunately hurt no one. They made good their escape from this 
danger, and after about two weeks more of rough traveling, and hiding 



RETURN TO WESTERN VIRGINIA. 195 

in caves and in the woods, they reached the regiment at West Union, 
but little the worse for their rough experience. Evening of the 4tl^ we 
boarded a train of cars, and were run to West Union, where we arrived 
about 2 o'clock in the night. The rebels had already burned several 
bridges, and we were sejit to this place to protect the railroad and 
bridges. On the 6th a force of 1,400 cavalry charged our pickets, cap- 
turing 16 of them, and charged down the valley, but halted before they 
came within range of our regiment, which was drawn up in line of 
battle, and they retreated as hastily and as quickly as they came. We 
pursued them at once, but no trace of them could be found. It was a 
brilliant dash, and as we had no cavalry we could not successfully 
follow the bold rangers that attacked us. On the nth we left West 
Union, and arrived at Weston May 13th, where we remained in camp a 
few days, and where all our force was concentrated, ready for any 
emergencies that might arise. We left here on the 19th of May, 
marching through Buckhannon, reaching Beverly at noon on the 21st. 
The men captured at West Union returned to us on the 2 2d, and re- 
ported to their companies. 

A telegram was sent to the commanding officer in the valley, after our 
return, by Col. Harris, of the Tenth Virginia, that a force supposed to 
be a detachment from the confederate army, had visited Upshur county, 
had succeeded in capturing a number of fine horses and made their 
escape into the mountains. There was no cavalry in this section at the 
time, and it was at once decided to make the attempt to intercept the 
raiders in the Elk river district, with infantry, an undertaking that did 
not promise great success, but all were anxious to try it. Fifty men 
were at once detailed, under command of Capt. Hall, of the Third Vir- 
ginia, with Lieut. French, of the Second, as second in command. The 
detail left Beverly in the evening, aud went fifteen miles before camp- 
ing, starting again at early morn, and by rapid marching most of the 
way over exceedingly rough country, they succeeded in reaching Elk 
river a little after nightfall, camping in and about the cabin of a back- 
woodsman, who scarcely knew that there was a war on hands. He was 
the possessor of but little besides a wife and three stands of bees. In 
the morning he was the possessor of a wife only, for at the first peep of 
day the boys carried the hives to the river bank and shook the bees into 
the stream, securing to themselves a delightful breakfast, which they 
took care to flavor with wild onions, which had grown up in abundance. 
Following the tortuous stream they came to the county seat of Webster 
county ; thence they advanced to reach the junction of the two branches 
of the Elk river. When within two miles of this place a moccasin track 
was noticed in the wet sand, and the inference was that the presence of 
the union troops was being heralded by some mountaineers to the 
marauders who were being followed. Here the roads forked, one branch 
leading over a rugged spur of the mountain while the other followed the 



196 RETURN TO WESTERN VIRGINIA. 

stream, coming together at the junction of the branches of the river. 
The command was divided into two equal parts, C'apt. Hall crossing 
the spur while Lieut. French followed the stream. Though the latter 
went on the double quick, he failed to overtake the owner of the mocca- 
sins, and when he reached the hamlet at the junction of the branches, 
not a living soul was to be seen. But a few minutes later they saw the 
captain and his men emerging from the thick undergrowth on the moun- 
tain point, and with them a squad of prisoners and a number of fine 
horses. The owners of the moccasins had accomplished their purpose, 
had apprised the marauders of the approach of the union boys, and they 
had stealthily secreted themselves in the timber until they found the 
river route was being followed, and, as they supposed, by the entire 
force. They then took the mountain road, intending to leave the blue 
coats in th'e rear, but as they began to descend the hill the captain halted 
them so suddenly and unexpectedly that resistance was useless. Ser- 
geant Wigner, of Company E, Second Virginia, was the first to discover 
the legs of the horses under the drooping branches, before the body of 
the leader was visible, and with his gun leveled on him called a halt and 
demanded a surrender. The whole party was captured, and it was dis- 
covered that the leader was a famous "partisan ranger," as they styled 
themselves, by the name of Watt Cool. The captain talked strongly of 
inflicting summary punishment upon him, but at the suggestion of the 
lieutenant a better use was made of him. The command had successfully 
accomplished their object without the shedding of a drop of blood, but 
they were about sixty miles from any union force and without any proper 
knowledge of the country. The captain proposed to the old guerilla 
that if he would faithfully act as guide for us to Buckhannon his life 
would be spared, and he promised, and kept his word, all arriving at 
Buckhannon tired, footsore and hungry. The stolen horses were re- 
stored, and Cool and his party were sent to Camp Chase, where he died. 
We remained at Beverly until ordered to Grafton to be mounted. In 
this time we were kept busy drilling, except when out on scouting parties, 
which were so frequent that it was difiicult to keep run of them. 



198 GENERAL AVERELL. 

summer. In 185 1, at the age of 18, he entered West Point, and was 
graduated in 1855. While he maintained a fair standing in his class, he 
devoted all his spare time to a comprehensive course of reading, which 
the great library at ^Vest Point ]KM-mitted him to enjoy. Fond of ath- 
letic sports, he excelled in horsemanship, and stood at the head of a 
class of five riders. On graduation he was assigned to the regiment of 
mounted riflemen, now the Third United States Cavalry, whose colonel 
was then ^V. W. Poring. He was ordered to the cavalry school 
at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., whose superintendent was Col. 
Charles A. May, of the .Second Dragoons. The school was 
removed to Carlisle Barracks, Pa., in December, 1855, and 
Lieut. Averell remained with it as adjutant until August, 1857. 
Fitzhugh Lee, W. H. Jackson, D. H. Maury, C. H. Tyler and many 
other dashing cavalry officers, served at the school while Averell was 
adjutant. In the autumn of 1857, he joined his regiment in New 
Mexico, and assumed command of a company, of which both his senior 
officers were absent; the captain, Andrew Porter, on leave in Europe, 
and the first lieutenant, Gordon Granger, on recruiting service. An in- 
cursion of Kiowa Indians into the valley of the Rio Grande in Decem- 
ber, 1S57, gave Averell his first chance in an Indian fight, which he em- 
braced by destroying the band and capturing the chief in a hand to 
hand encounter. For this exploit he was honorably mentioned in gen- 
eral orders from General Scott, commander-in-chief of the army. The 
outbreak of the Navajo tribe in 1858, opened an active field for "The 
Rifles," as his regiment was familiarly called, and Averell was engaged 
in about twenty-five combats with that powerful tribe, and was mentioned 
in general orders several times for his gallant conduct. His frontier 
experience was terminated by a wound received in a night attack of 
Navajoes on his camp, October 8, 1858, which resulted in the fracture 
of his left thigh, and put him upon crutches for nearly two years. In 
1 86 1, Lieutenant Averell went to Washington to see Mr. Lincoln inaug- 
urated, and witnessed the struggles of many of his old southern com- 
rades and friends, to escape the social and political toils which drew 
them into secession and rebellion. Although still on sick leave, and 
an invalid and lame, when Fort Sumter was fired upon, he at 
once reported for duty, and was selected by General Scott as 
bearer of dispatches to Col. W. H. Emory then in Northern 
Texas and the Indian nation, commanding the first regiment of cavalry 
and the first regiment of infantry, the only portions of our little army 
in that region which had escaped the disgraceful surrender of Twiggs. 
Emory's command was isolated by the intervening turbulence of seces- 
sion in Southern Missouri and Arkansas, and a special messenger was 
decided upon as the only means of communication. Making his way 
through these states with a variety of adventures, young Averell reached 
Fort Smith to find it in the hands of a rebel force under Col. Boreland 



GENERAL AVERELL. 199 

from Little Rock, and our troops some hundreds of miles out on the 
wild and perilous frontier. Purchasing a horse, he escaped from the 
town, swam the Poteaux river, which was booming, and the bridge 
burned. He was pursued and captured fifty miles out on the Wachita 
trail, escaped to the San Bois Mountains which he crossed to the north, 
was again pursued on the Arbuckle trail, but escaped at the expense of 
becoming lost for forty-eight hours, but constantly making his way west- 
ward. In a blind ride through a savage country, infested with wild 
beasts and murderous men, for over 260 miles, he found the command 
he was seeking to the southeast of Fort Arbuckle, surrounded by Tcxans 
and frontier secessionists. The anxieties of the command were dis- 
pelled and its march taken up to the northward. yVverell parted with 
the command on reaching Kansas and hastened to Washington. He 
was employed in mustering in volunteer regiments until recalled to be- 
come adjutant general of the regular brigade at the first battle pf Bull 
Run, and after that adjutant general to the governor of Washington, and 
provost marshal of the Army of the Potomac. In August, 1861, he was 
appointed colonel of the Third Pennsylvania Cavalry, and shortly after 
had the Eighth Cavalry added to his command, forming the first brigade 
of cavalry organized in the war. He led the advance into Manassas, 
March, 1862, and served with the cavalry during the Peninsula cam- 
paign. He was promoted to brigadier general United States volunteers, 
September 26, 1862, and served in the Army of the Potomac until he 
was appointed to the command of the Fourth separate brigade in West 
Virginia, May 16, 1863. Our command served under his leadership 
until our regiment was mustered out, in which time his history is that of 
the gallant brigade which he commanded. He served after that time in 
the severe battles of the Shenandoah Valley. He was breveted briga- 
dier general United States army, March 13, 1S65, for gallant and meri- 
torious services in the field during the rebellion, and breveted major 
general United States army, March 13, 1865, for gallant and meritorious 
services at the battle of Moorfield, Va., and resigned May 18, 1865, and 
since has resided at Bath, Steuben county, N. Y. 

On May 25th, Gen. Averell sent official notice to Company C of the 
permanent transfer of the company to the First Regiment of West Vir- 
ginia Tight Artillery, in accordance with the following order : 

War Dep't Adjt. Generals Office, Washington, May 18, 1863 
Special Order No. 221. [A".r/;v7<7.] 

Company G, Second Virginia Volunteer Infantry, now serving as a battery, is here- 
by permanently detached from that regiment and will hereafter form part of the First 
Regiment Virginia Light Artillery as a gun battery. The Governor of Virginia is 
hereby authorized to recruit a company to replace it in the Second Virginia Infantry, 
By order of the Secretary of War, 

E. D. Townsend. 
It may be well to state in this connection, that the company thus 
authorized to be recruited, never became a part of the regiment. It was 



200 GENERAL A VERELLS BRIGADE. 

organized late in the spring of 1864, did not even join the regiment, but 
upon the muster out of the regiment in the summer, with the veterans 
and recruits, became a part of the Sixth West Virginia Cavah'y. 
The Second Virginia Regiment had but nine companies from the time 
Company G. was made a battery. 

The new brigade formed for Gen. Averell was composed of the Sec- 
ond, Third and Eighth Virginia Mounted Infantry, the I'ourteenth 
Pennsylvania Cavalry, Gibson's Battalion of Cavalry and Mattery 
G. The intention was to organize a force that would 
be able to meet the confederate ]:)artisan rangers on llicir own 
ground, and as our regiments were so intimately acquainted with all the 
ins and outs of the warfare of the mountains, they were selected for this 
exceedingly difficult, arduous, and dangerous service. On June 15th our 
regiment left l^)everly for Grafton, arriving at the latter place on the 17th. 
Horses were distributed to the command on June 21st, and from that 
time until fully organized for active duty in the new line of service, we 
were kept constantly busy learning to ride and manage our horses, and 
doing such drilling as we were capable of. We were known for the 
time as "Mounted Infantry," and did service in either arm of the ser- 
vice, as occasion required. We received our equipments of arms and 
accoutrements on July 2d. 

On the 2d of July, Battery G was at Beverly, and while the orderly 
sergeant was making out his morning report, half the horses being let 
out to grass, and a dreamy listlessness was over everything, a citizen 
who lived in the immediate vicinity came along, and asked the men if 
they were not afraid of the rebels, and informed them that the whole 
valley above was full of them, and he had walked ten miles to come and 
tell them. While discussing the matter, Harmon Snyder came along 
and confirmed the first report, when Capt. Ewing had bugler Phillips 
blow "boots and saddles." They got enough horses together to mo\-e 
the guns, and soon enough to supply the whole battery, and by nine 
o'clock were ready for duty. A few minutes latter some of Captain 
Frank Smith's Independent Cavalry Company of Cincinnati, came rid- 
ing in, and reported that most of their company were captured; that the 
confederates had slipped around between them and Beverly, built a 
fence across the road, and surrounded them, a few only making their 
escape. About the same time Col. Harris held a consultation in regard 
to what was best to be done. The baggage wagons with commissary 
stores, etc., had been ordered out on the road toward ^Vebster, but it 
was soon found that the roads were all occu})ied by the enemy under 
Gen. W. L. Jackson. Our troops went up to the hill just a little north- 
east of Beverly, and about 2 o'clock the enemy opened on them with 
their artillery about four miles away, and then advanced within a mile 
and a half, doing no harm, and evidencing no real desire for close and 
warm work. They kept firing occasionally all night, and Ewing returned 



GENERAL AVERELVS BRIGADE. 201 

the courtesy by throwing a shell at them every two or three minutes. 
Capt. Ewing sent John McGilvery with another man in the direction of 
Webster for reinforcements, who continued until they opened com- 
munication with General Averell. On the morning of the 3d the lit- 
tle garrison was still surrounded, but early in the day Major Gibson's 
battalion came to their relief. A strong and rapid fire was then opened 
on the enemy, when the rest of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania cavalry 
and the Third and Eighth Virginia came up, and the confederates fled 
precipitately. Our forces followed them in the morning. General 
Averell now in command, skirmishing a little at Huttonville, after which 
they fled beyond our reach. The command returned to Beverly, and 
the part belonging to Gen. Averell's brigade, returned to Webster on the 
loth. 

On July 7th the Second Virginia went to Buckhannon, remaining in 
camp there until the 15th, when they marched to Beverly during the 
night, in a heavy rain. On the 17th, six companies of the regiment 
went on an expedition in the direction of Huntersville, but did not en- 
counter any of the enemy. Companies E and K went to Cheat Moun- 
tain Summit, D remained at Beverly and B at Buckhannon. The ex- 
pedition returned to Beverly on the i8th, in a drenching rain, and the 
next day the regiment resumed their camp at Buckhannon, remaining there 
until the 20th of August, when they joined the brigade at Huntersville 
on the 23d. On the 4th of August Company B. went on a scout, and on 
the 6th Companies E and 1 were sent out, and other scouting parties 
were constantly keeping a close watch on the front, ready for the forays 
of the enemy. While here the time was mostly taken up in drilling, the 
men learning readily the duties recpiired of them in their new arm of 
service. 

On July 7th, Gen. Averell, with all his brigade except the Second 
Virginia, was ordered East to harass the lines of Gen. Lee, in his re- 
treat from Gettysburg. While not i)ermitted to take a part in that 
memorable battle, the brigade rendered efficient service on Lee's flank, 
causing him considerable trouble and loss. Gen. H. W. Halleck, in 
his report to the Secretary of War, November 15, 1S63, thus concisely 
states the services of our department in that campaign: 

"The operations of our troops in West Vir<:inia, arc here referred to as being inti- 
mately connected with those of the Army of the Potomac. The force being too 
small to attempt afty important campaign by itself, has acted mostly upon the defen- 
sive, in repelling raids and breaking up guerilla bands. When Lee's army retreated 
across the Potomac in July last. Brig. Gen. Kelly concentrated all his available forces 
on the enemy's flank, near Clear Spring, ready to co-operate in the proposed attack 
by Gen. Meade. They also rendered valuable services in the pursuit, after Lee had 
effected his passage of tlie river." 

The troops were forwarded as rapidly as possible, but arrived too late 
at Williamsport, Pa., to do any service there, Lee's army having crossed 
the river and was on its way south. Gen. Averell with his brigade 



202 GENERAL A VERELVS BRIGADE. 

hastily retraced his steps, aiming to reach the valley and attack Lee's 
forces in that locality. On the iSth we captured a number of prisoners, 
and on the 19th found the enemy on the Martinsburg road, having some 
severe skirmishing and driving them before us, capturing many more 
prisoners. The next day a large force of the confederates attacked us 
and we were compelled to fall back, with considerable fighting during 
the night. On the 24th we again advanced and continued our forward 
movement until we reached Winchester on the 30th, camping and recon- 
noitering at various intermediate points. During our stay here a great 
many confederate deserters came to our lines, who were sent to the rear, 
and a large number of prisoners were paroled. It was a part of the 
writer's duty in camp to look after paroling of prisoners, care of desert- 
ers and to hear the complaints and woes, and request for passes, of the 
citizens of the surrounding country. At this point the number of exceed- 
ingly and obtrusively "loyal" people that annoyed Gen. Averell's head- 
quarters, might have led to the belief that that part of the beautiful 
valley was the home of all the loyalty of Virginia ; but the loyalty was 
not of the kind to inspire confidence, and the utmost care was required 
that no advantage was secured by the enemy by means of passes. The 
command lay here until the 5th of August. 

While here, one of those pleasant affairs, so full of good cheer to all 
concerned, took place, which explains itself in the following letter : 

BUCKHANNON, W. Va., AugUSt 3, 1863. 

To THE Men and Officers of Company G: 

I have received through your captain a beautiful sword, with "Col. George R. 
Latham, Second Virginia Vohinteer Infantry, from the men and officers of Company 
G, " engraved on the scabbard. I accept this as a token of friendship, and as such 
regard it above all price. Unexpected and unsolicited, it must be the offering of those 
whose friendship knows no mercenary motive. I accept it and prize it more highly, 
as a token of confidence in my public and representative character. Not in pride but 
in humble thankfulness, I thus highly appreciate your estimate of my public services, 
coming as it does from those with whom I have longest served and who can best 
judge of my merits. Finally, I accept it as a most expressive emblem of your appre- 
ciation of the situation. All that is good, noble, desirable and praiseworthy — the 
secret admonitions of heaven; the patriotic promptings of our own hearts; the yearn- 
ing for freedom by the oppressed of foreign despotisms, and even an ardent desire for 
the peace of the world — plead for the vigorous prosecution of the existing war, and 
the final and complete crushing out of the rebellion; and the sword is the most appro- 
priate and expressive emblem of the present purposes of every American patriot. 
Please accept my best wishes and sincere assurance of high regard. Hoping that 
your future may be even more brilliant than the past, that you may all live to see our 
country again happy, in the restoration of an honorable peace, that as citizens you 
may be beloved of all your fellows and honored by high Heaven, and that future gen- 
erations may rise up and call you blessed, 

I remain your most obedient servant, 

Geo. R. Latham, Col,, 2d Va. M't'd Inf. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



R(~)c;kv gap expedition. 




N THl'j 5th (lay of August the command moved to Capon 
Springs, and the next day to picturescpie little Moorefield, clam- 
ering over the mountains to reach this beautiful little valley. 
We had a lively bout with some rangers on the 5th, and on the night of 
the 6th they killed one and wounded four men of the Fourteenth Penn- 
sylvania cavalry. (7n the 9th we marched to Petersburg, remaining 
there until the iqth. During our stay here we were annoyed a great deal 
by the bushwhackers, killing one of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania. The 
"Swamp Dragons," a company of about fifty union natives, who 
operated in the mountains, were doing a good work, and were able to 
meet the guerillas on an equal footing, being more than a match for 
their foes. August 19th the line of march was resumed, reaching Frank- 
lin that day, burning the Saltpetre works, and capturing the men that 
were operating them. The next day, we marched to Monterey, captur- 
ing a few prisoners. Wc reached Huntersville on the 22d, after a very 
dangerous and exciting march. W^e had considerable skirmishing, and 
our wagon train was attacked on the 21st, two of our men being wounded 
and several horses killed. The next day one of our command and two 
of the enemy were killed. 

The brigade was joined at this ])lace on the 23d by the Second Vir- 
ginia and Tenth Virginia and two pieces of Capt. Keeper's battery. The 
Second Virginia left Buckhannon on the 20th of the month and made 
the march direct to Huntersville to join their command, meeting with 
the hidden enemy in the bushes and on the hillsides, not knowing what 
moment the last call should come to a brave comrade. The march was 
a hard, dangerous and severe one, but on rejoining their brigade the 
gallant boys forgot their fatigue and were anxious to meet the enemy 
now massing in their front under Gen. W. L. Jackson. The command 
resumed the march on the 24th, reaching Warm Springs shortly after 
dark, a distance of twenty-five miles. During the day the front of the 



2 04 ROCKY GAP. 

column was severely bushwhacked, wounding a nuniljer of the command. 
We punished the enemy slightly in the same manner and captured on 
the march over one hundred saddles and bridles, which we burned, and 
at Warm Springs we captured a number of sabres, guns, etc. The next 
day we went about twenty-five miles in the direction of Lewisburg, hav- 
ing considerable skirmishing and making some unimi)ortant captures. On 
the 26th we advanced thirteen miles, to within three miles of White 
Sulphur Springs, and at about 8 o'clock found our advance opposed by 
Oen. Jones at a place called Rocky Gap. 

The enemy were strongly entrenched, with a clearing and corn field in 
their front. The Third and Eighth Virginia were dismounted and 
thrown out to the left of the road, and our regiment and a portion of 
the Fourteenth Pennsylvania cavalry, dismounted, moved to the right of 
the road. • living's battery was ordered to take position on a slight eleva- 
tion to the right of the road. Tieut. Shearer's section dashed into posi- 
tion quickly, followed by Lieut. Howard Morton with the remaining 
guns. A severe fire of canister greeted them from the enemy's guns, 
which were unmasked at point blank range, and in the few seconds 
required to get into action, a number of the battery were disabled, and 
a few of the horses were killed or disabled. Capt. Ewing, while seek- 
ing a better position for the battery was wounded, and carried from the 
field, leaving the battery in command of Lieut. Morton. Notwithstand- 
ing the terrible odds against them, the battery was worked with such 
telling effect, that the enemy's guns were soon rendered comparatively 
harmless for the rest of the action. Battery G had an accident happen 
to one of their pieces, that was out of the usual order. After the fight 
had begun, the battery was ordered into position, and went on a trot to 
the place designated. One of the pieces ran off the road alongside 
another one, and just then the confederates fired vigorously, frighten- 
ing the horses, which were new to the work. They reared and broke the 
pole and the limber got fast on a stump, so the men could not unlimber 
the gun. Sergeant Evans then ordered the drivers to turn and pull the 
piece down on the road, so as to be on the level. Just as they did this, 
Charles Arbogast, the middle driver, was shot through the breast 
and fell from his horse. His brother, George Arbogast, who 
drove the wheel team, jumped off and caught his brother 
Charles, pulling him out of the way. As soon as the horses 
found they were not controlled, they made a jump and landed on the 
road, with the piece upside down. The lead driver, David R. Yingst, 
held on to the horses, and they lay in the middle of the road in full 
view of the enemy. The horses were then raised to their feet, after 
great difficulty, by the efforts of Sergt. Evans, Yingst and Billy Gibson, 
while one of their own pieces was firing grape right over them anil a 
confederate battery was firing close to them. There was a rail fence 
near and the shots from the enemy struck the rails, throwing the pieces 



ROCKY GAP. 



205 



all over the men. After they got the horses up, a new pole was put in 
and the gun was put to work trying to make up for lost time. Gen. 
Averell was near by and complimented the men on their good work in 
righting the gun under such difficult conditions. The battery lost 
heavily in this battle. Capt. Ewing was severely wounded and left in 
the hands of the enemy, together with the killed and other wounded of 
the battery. The captain relates that when he found himself outside the 
protection of the old flag, he could not keep back the unbidden tear, 
and all the prisoners shared in the feeling. Samuel Lessig and Charles 
Arbogast were killed and Serg'ts. H. A. Evans, Adam Brown, and S.J. Os- 
borne; W. F. McClure, Lawrence Marshall, John N. Taggart, Fred Rowe, 
George Hart, Phillip Zeigler, John Fife and James Metcalf were severely 
wounded. Sergt. Evans was struck on the right side of his head by a 
])iece of shell, which exploded just over him, and all that saved him was 
it striking the hat band, which turned it out. He was knocked sense- 
less and the bone badly shattered, seventeen pieces being taken out and 
it now troubles him severely. 

While the battery was doing such effective work, the rest of the bri- 
gade were gallantly charging all along the line. Our regiment, supported 
on the left flank by one-half of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, 
advanced through the cornfield, meeting with a murderous fire from the 
enemy, safely posted behind their breastworks. We pressed onward, 
however, almost uj) to the fortifications, but were there met with such a 
withering fire that human endurance could stand it no longer, and we 
fell back a short distance, taking position in a gully, or dry creek bed, 
where we were jjartially sheltered. In that severe charge some of our 
bravest officers and men fell. Aniong the rest, the brave McNally, of 
our regiment, foremost in the line, waving his sword and cheering his 
men. The major had taken hold of one of the confederates and cap- 
tured him, when they both fell at once, the confederate being instantly 
killed by his own men. The position of our regiment in the guUey was a 
very exposed one now, being far in advance of our line. Gen. Averell, 
who was directing movements from the center of the line, near Ewing's 
battery, ordered the part of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry that 
was mounted, to made a diversion by charging down the road toward 
the enemy's fortifications. This brave body of men made one of the 
most daring charges of the war, not only facing a murderous storm of 
leaden hail from the front but also, to their surprise, received an enfilad- 
ing fire along their flank from a large body of infantry concealed in a 
cornfield to the left of the road. On they dashed, regardless of death 
and danger, and reached the breastworks of felled trees and fence rails 
thrown across the road. \Vniile endeavoring to force their way through, 
they were surrounded by the force upon their flanks and were nearly all 
killed, wounded or captured. During the excitement of this heroic 
charge, the survivors of the Second were withdrawn from their exposed 



2o6 ROCKY GAP. 

position in the gullcy to a safer ])osition on the ridge in their rear. The 
Third and Eighth Virginia had also met a largely superior force of the 
enemy posted in their front, and although they struggled gallantly, were 
unable to dislodge them. After the heroic charge of the Fourteenth 
Pennsylvania down the road, had disclosed the presence of the enemy 
hid in the cornfield to the left of the road, Lieut. Morton, of battery Ci, 
changed front with four guns and swept the cornfield with canister, caus- 
ing the enemy who were massed there, a greater loss in men than from 
any other source during the battle. Night put an end to the conflict, 
and both armies rested during the night. 

Upon the approach of daylight the battle was resumed, and General 
Averell tried his best to break the enemy's line, but in vain. About 10:30 
A. M. he discovered that the ammunition of both the battery and other 
troops was almost exhausted, and he reluctantly gave the order to with- 
draw, retiring in good order, traveling all day, that night, and the next 
day until 3 p. m., when we arrived at Huntcrsville, a distance of fifty 
miles. It was a fearful march, without rest, and constantly harassed 
by the bushwhackers, who seemed to be in every wooded place, whence 
they sent into our columns the death dealing bullets. There was not 
the slightest opportunity to defend ourselves, and it was warfare that 
was devoid of the excitement of the battle field, hence the harder to 
bear. The same evening we marched to Marian's Bottoms, where we 
rested for the night. 

A great deal of execution was done by parties of sharpshooters of our 
command that gaineil advantageous positions and struck the enemy at 
every opportunity. As an instance of this, there was one party com- 
posed of Charley Hixenbaugh, John N. Crow, Hiram Qualk, T. 
Dwyer and Silas J. Clendaniel, of Company I, with Jacob Simon of 
Company C, and some others, that gained the top of 
the ridge and there did good work. A singular thing is related by one 
of the boys relative to the three wounded men of Company I and their 
horses. The men were W. H. Billingsley, T. Uwyer and Lemuel 
Howe, who were also captured. Their horses, supposed to be in a com- 
paratively safe place, were wounded and had to be shot. 

The corps of pioneers plied their axes with good effect upon many 
large trees near the road, cutting them nearly in two. As the troops 
were withdrawn, battery G, with their guns double shotted with the last 
canister they had, grimly waited the expected advance of the exultant 
foe. As they came on with their usual yell, the battery boys let them 
have it red hot, and then limbering up their guns, with the new horses 
they had procured during the night, pulled out in a trot. The pioneers 
made their final cuts and the trees fell across the road, completely block- 
ing it ; as the confederate cavalry dashed up they were greeted witli a 
volley from the rear guard lying behind the fallen trees, and who then 
galloped after the retreating column. Company C formed part of the 



ROCKY GAP. 207 

rear guard, and on the morning of the 28th, in going around a steep hill, 
were fired upon by the enemy, who were concealed in the rocks above. 
I^orenz Turk was killed and Henry Myer was severely wounded. The 
company was then about two miles behind the column, and immediately 
put spurs to their horses to regain our forces. The road in some places 
was only about ten feet wide, with a deep ravine below. It was with 
difficulty that the horses could be ridden past and over the fallen body 
of Turk and of the horses that were also killed, and when Sergt. Graebe's 
horse came to the place he shied and went over the side of the road into 
a deep wash-out, striking on his head, with the sergeant beneath him. 
His comrades supposed he was killed and passed on. Though bruised 
considerably, the horse was able to get up after awhile, when Graebe 
mounted him and soon rejoined the company, to their great surprise. 
We continued our march on the 29th, arriving at Big Springs by even- 
ing, but did not stop, marching all night and the next day until evening, 
when we reached Huttonville, a distance of forty-five miles. It was a 
hard, trying march, and we were mercilessly bushwhacked, going into 
camp weary and sore, but with hope and courage for the future. In a 
little over three days we had marched over one hundred miles, about 
fifty hours of which were in line of march. On the 31st we returned to 
Beverly, where we went into camp and remained until November. 

The confederate papers in their comments on the battle, said: "The 
Yankees, under the great raider Averell, took a summer jaunt to the 
White Sulphur Springs for the benefit of their health, and met with such 
a warm and cordial reception that many of them concluded to remain 
and take up their bounty land, but were satisfied with six feet of ground 
instead of a quarter section." They had little to boast of, however, for 
the retreat was a most orderly and well conducted one, we bringing off all 
our guns, wagons and ambulance, leaving behind our dead and those so 
badly wounded that they could not be moved, while the loss of the 
enemy was very great. 

The losses of the brigade were 26 killed, 125 wounded and 67 cap- 
tured — total, 21S. The losses of our regiment were as follows: 

Killed — Rudolph Armstrong, Lorenz Turk, Company C; Asbury S. 
Davis, Company E; W. W. Carney, Company F; John Oakes, Com- 
pany K. 

Wounded--^\^]ox F. P. McNally, G. ^V'. Miller, Sergt. Maj., John R. 
Thomas, Principal Musician, W. H. Graham, Company A; James Calla- 
han, Kidd S. Simpson, Company B; James McAleer, Samuel Ray, Com- 
pany D ; Lieut. John C. French, G. F. Dillon, Calvin B. Martin, Mor 
gan Rush, Fred Schaub, Company E; Hugh Smith, Company F; Aden 
Webb, Company H; T. Dwyer, W. H. Billingsley, Lemuel B. Howe 
Company I. 

The following order was issued by Gen. Averell upon reaching Bev-^ 
erly : 



2o8 ROCKY GAP. 

Headquarters Folirth Seiwkate Brigade, Beverev, W. Va , Sept. i, 1863. 
Special Orders, No. yj; 

The brigadier general commanding desires to express to the officers and men of this 
command who took part in the recent expedition into the country occupied by the 
enemy, his high appreciation of the fortitude and gallantry they have displayed. You 
sought the enemy in his strongholds and drove him in confusion from his camps, 
destroying his military resources throughout a vast region. Relying upon the co- 
operation of other forces, which had been promised you, but which did not come, 
you attacked a superior force of the enemy with an impetuosity which dislodged him 
from his first position, and success was dawning upon your arms, when lack of ammu- 
nition obliged you to pause. Even then you stood fast, witnessing the fall of many 
noble comrades with a fortitude that the approaching reinforcements of the enemy 
could not disturb. When directed to withdraw, you retired with the dignity 
becoming soldiers baffled but not beaten. You have encountered cold and hunger, 
and the murderous shots of lurking cowards have been met with the indifference of 
tried courage. The combined efforts of the enemy failed to made us relinquish our 
purposes or prevent our return. Let the grief which fills our hearts for our fallen 
friends, render them stout in a just cause. Prepare at once for greater undertakings. 

By command cf Brig. Gen. W. W. Averell. 

C. Fred Trowbridge, Capt. and A. A. A. G. 

The following is General Averell's report of this expedition, the best 
account of the raid and battle that the writer has ever seen: 

On August 5, I left Winchester and marched over North Mountain to Wardensville, 
twenty-eight miles. A lieutenant and ten men of Imboden's command were captured 
on the way by Capt. Von Koenig who led the advance during the day. I arrived at 
Mooreiield with my command at 8:30 p. i\i., on the 6th, after a tedious march of thirty 
miles over a difficult road. At Lost river a company of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania 
was sent to Moorefield, via Harper's Mills, where it captured a lieutenant and a party 
of the enemy, but subsequently falling into an ambush after dark, lost its prisoners 
and thirteen men captured. Four of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania were wounded, 
and three of the enemy were killed and five wounded. On the gth, I left Moorefield 
and marched to Petersburg, eleven miles, leaving Gibson's battalion on the South 
Fork. My command was at this time badly in v.-ant of horse shoes and nails, clothing 
and ammunition, requisitions for which had been made by my quartermaster, at Cum- 
berland, on the 7th. The order of Brig. Gen. Kelley to move was received on the 
15th, at Petersburg, but it was not until noon of the 17th that horse-shoe nails ar- 
rived. Some ammunition for Ewing's battery was also received, but I was unable to 
increase my supply for small arms which amounted to about thirty-five cartridges to 
each man. This was sufficient for any ordinary engagement, but we had a long march 
before us entirely in the country occupied by the enemy, and I felt apprehensive that 
the supply would be exhausted before the expedition should be ended. It was my 
opinion that the delay, which would ensue by awaiting the arrival of ammunition, 
would be more dangerous to us than undertaking the expedition with the supply we 
had. Therefore on the iSth, Col. Oley, of the Eighth West Virginia, was sent with 
his regiment up the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac, and Gibson's 
battalion up the South Fork, and on the morning of the igth I moved with the Third 
West Virginia, Fourteenth Pennsylvania cavalry and Ewing's battery nearly to Frank- 
lin, sending forward two squadrons to destroy the Saltpeter works, five miles above. 

On the 20th, I proceeded up the South Branch to Monterey, over a rough road, the 
Eighth West Virginia and Gibson's battalion joining the column on the march. A 
few guerrillas were captured on the road. At Monterey the quarterly court was 
found in session. Upon my arrival it was adjourned and the principal officials ar- 
rested. It was learned that Imboden had been there the day previous to hold a con- 



ROCKY GAP. 209 

liiience with Maj. Gen. Samuel Jones, upon the subject of attacking:; me at Peters- 
burg, The road to Huntersville was taken on the 21st, as far as Gibson's store, my 
advance, conducted by Lieut. Rumsey, aide-de-camp, driving about 300 of the enemy 
before it, during the march, to within five miles of Huntersville. Our casualties 
during the day were only four wounded and six horses killed and disabled, although 
constantly annoyed by shots from guerrillas who infested the bushes along the way. 
Learning, during the night of the 21st, that the enemy had assumed a position in a 
ravine, about three miles from Huntersville, which was difficult to carry on account 
of the precipitous character of the sides, I made a false advance on the 22d with Gib- 
son's battalion, while the main body taking a by-road to the right, reached Hunters- 
ville without meeting resistance, rendering the position of the enemy useless to him, 
and causing him to retire in haste toward Warm Springs. Col. Oley, with the Eighth 
West "Virginia and one sejuadron of the Third West Virginia, was sent after the re- 
treating enemy and overtook his rearguard at Camp Northwest, from whence it was 
driven several miles. Camp Northwest was burned and destroyed, with commissary 
buildings and stores, blacksmith shops, several wagons, a number of Enfield rifles, 
gun equipments and a quantity of wheat and flour at a mill close by. A large num- 
ber of canteens, stretchers, and hospital supplies fell into our hands. 

The 23d was spent at Huntersville awaiting the arrival of the Second and Tenth 
West "Virginia. The Tenth and a detachment of about 350 of the Second West Vir- 
ginia and a section of Keeper's battery arrived during the day from the direction of 
Beverly. The Second had 40 rounds of ammunition per man, with 1,000 rounds addi- 
tional, which were transferred to the Third West Virginia. During the day a recon- 
noisance, under Lieut. Col. Polsley. Eighth West Virginia, was made toward Warm 
Springs. One lieutenant and five men of the enemy were captured, and 12 killed and 
wounded. Our loss was only iive horses shot. On the 24th the march was resumed 
toward Warm Springs, through which Jackson and his forces were driven over the 
mountains east of that place toward Millborough. Our losses during the day were 
two men severely wounded, some slightly hurt and a few horses shot. Captured 
many arms, saddles, and other stores from the enemy. The forces under Jackson 
having been driven out of I^ocahontas county too soon to permit them to form a 
junction with any other bodies of the enemy, and the prospect of overtakng him being 
very small, I determined to turn my column toward Lewisburg, hoping that my move- 
ment up to the Warm Springs had led the enemy to believe that I was on my way to 
his depots in the vicinity of Staunton. I relied also on some co-operation from the 
direction of Summerville. I therefore sent the Tenth West Virginia back to Hunters- 
ville, and on the 25th made a rapid march of 25 miles to Callaghan's, in Allegheny 
county, destroying the saltpeter works on Jackson's river, on my way. Arrived at 
Callaghan's, reconnoitering parties were sent to Covington and Sweet Springs. Some 
wagons of the enemy were captured near Covington, and the saltpeter works in that 
vicinity destroyed. 

At 4 .\. M. on the 26th my column was formed, enroute to White Sulphur Springs. 
The road crossed two mountain ranges before 10 miles had been traveled over. About 
9:30 \. M., when about 12 miles from Callaghan's, a message from Capt. Von Is^oenig 
was received by me at the head of the column, that the enemy were resisting his ad- 
vance, and desiring reinforcements. A squadron of the Second was sent on at a trot, 
and a squadron of the Eighth ordered forward. A few minutes elapsed when the 
enemy's cannon announced his purpose of disputing our farther progress and indicated 
his strength. I at once started the column forward at a rapid gait down through a 
narrow pass, which soon opened out into a little valley a mile long, inclosed on each 
side by rugged rocky heights, covered with a stunted growth of pine, oak and chest- 
nut trees. At the opening, the projectiles from the enemy's cannon first struck the 
head of our column. A jutting cliff on the right afforded protection for the horses of 
the Second and Eighth, and the dismounted men of the Second were at once ordered 



2IO ROCKY GAP. 

to the summit of the ridijc- on our ri^ht, and the squadron of tlie Eighth dismounted to 
the hill on our left. A section of Ewing's l)attery was brought up rapidly and planted 
on the first available position, where it opened briskly and with great accuracy. The 
squadron of the Eighth, ordered to the left, mistook the direction in some way, and 
found itself on the right with the Second West Virginia. The main body of the 
Eighth West Virginia, led by Col. Oley, however, soon made their way to the crest on 
our left. The Third West Virginia and Fourteenth Penn.sylvania were ordered 
forward, and came to the front, dismounted very soon. I beg to call your attention 
to the fact that my column of horses, nearly four miles long, was now in a narrow 
gorge, and that during the time necessary for the Third West Virginia and Fourteenth 
Pennsylvania to arrive at the front, it was necessary that Ewing, supported only by 
the advance guard, should maintain his position against an attack of the enemy's artil- 
lery and infantry combined. The Second on the right and the Eighth .on the left, 
afforded some support, but Ewing's battery, with canister, not only resisted the 
approach of the enemy, but actually advanced upon him, in order to obtain a better 
position, and held him at bay until the arrival of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania and 
Third West Virginia, which were at once deployed to the right and left of the road, 
thus filling up the gap in my line. The enemy gave away his position to us and en- 
deavored to assume another about half a mile in rear of the first, with his right rest- 
ing upon a rugged prominence, his center and left protected by a temporary stockade, 
which he had formed of fence rails. I resolved to dislodge him before he should be- 
come well established, and then if possible, to rout him from the field. One of the 
guns of Ewing had burst, and the other five were advanced to within 600 yards of the 
enemy. Capt. Von Koenig was sent to advance the Third and Eighth, and orders 
were sent to the right also to advance. Gibson's battalion was thrown into a 
house and the surrounding enclosures which stood in front of the enemy's center. 
The enemy clung tenaciously to the wooded hill on their right, and Gibson's battalion 
was driven from the house by a regiment of the enemy, which at that moment arrived 
upon the field. I immediately caused the house to be set on fire by shells, which 
prevented the enemy from occupying it. The right was able to gain only a short distance 
by hard fighting. It then became an affair of sharpshooters along the whole line at a 
distance of less than 100 yards. The effort which my men had made in scaling a suc- 
cession of heights on either hand, had wearied them almost to e.\haustion. A careful 
fire was kept up by small-arms for three hours, it being almost impossible for either 
side to advance or retire. During this time I reconnoitered the position, going from 
the hills on the right to the left. At about 4 p. m. I determined to make another 
effort to carry the position. A squadron of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania, which had 
not been dismounted, was brought up and instructions sent to the commanders along 
the line that a cavalry charge was about to be made on the enemy's center, and direct- 
ing them to act in concert. The charge was splendidly made by Capt. Bird, of the 
Fourteenth Pennsylvania cavalry, who led his men until he came to a stockade which 
the enemy had thrown across the road. Orders had been given to the officers com- 
manding the regiments on the right, to press forward at the same time and endeavor 
to gain the Antony's Creek road, which came in on the enemy's left. The order to the 
Second to advance was conveyed by Lieut. Combs, the adjutant of that regiment, who 
delivered the order to that portion of the regiment nearest him. Maj. McNally on 
the right, and Lieut. Combs on the left, of the regiment, with less than 100 men, ad- 
vanced on the enemy's line and drove them out of the stockade, leaving Maj. Mc- 
Nally mortally wounded in the hands of the enemy. The effect of the cavalry charge 
was to cause about 300 of the enemy to run away from the stockade, exposing them- 
selves to a deadly fire from the Fourteenth Pennsylvania, Col. Schoonmaker, but 
their position was soon regained by their reserves. No united effort was made attain 
the road on the extreme right, as directed. Reports soon reached me from all parts 



ROCKY GAP. 211 

of the line that ammunition was falhng short. The slackened firing of the enemy 
evidently indicated that his supply was not plentiful. The night came with no change 
in position, and no tidings from the west, whence Gen. Scammon was expected. Dur- 
ing the night all the ammunition in the wagons was brought up and equitably dis- 
tributed, and every available man was brought to the front. It was quite evident to 
my mind that if the resistance of the enemy was kept up, I could go no farther in 
that direction. It was impossible to retire during the night without disorder, and 
perhaps disaster. By remaining until morning two chances remained with me; first, 
the enemy might retreat, and, second, Scammon might arrive. The morning showed 
us that both chances had failed, that the enemy had received ammunition, and that 
re-enforcements were coming to him from the direction of Lewisburg The battle 
was renewed, but every arrangement made in rear for a prompt withdrawal. The 
ambulances loaded with wounded, the caissons, wagons, and long columns of horses 
were placed in proper order upon the road, details made for the attendance of the 
wounded, trees prepared to fall across the gorge when our artillery should have 
passed, and commanding officers received their instructions. The enemy's re-en- 
forcements arrived and attempted to turn my left about lo a. m, At 10:30 o'clock the 
order to retire was given, and in forty-five minutes from that time my column was 
moving off in good order, my rear guard at the barricades repulsing the enemy's ad- 
vance twice before it left the ground. Successive barricades were formed and my 
column reached Callaghan's about 5 v. m., where it was halted, fires built, and the 
men and horses given the first opportunity to eat for thirty-six hours. After dark the 
fires were left burning and the column took the road to Warm Springs. A scouting 
party of the enemy in front of us had left word with the citizens that Jackson was at 
Gatewood's, with a strong force. This shallow attempt at deception did not deter us 
from marching to that point, where we arrived at daylight on the 28th. At 9 a. m. 
the march was resumed to Huntersville, without interruption, but with considerable 
annoyance from guerrillas. At evening we marched to Greenbrier Bridge, or Mar- 
lin's Bottom, where Col. Harris, with the Tenth West Virginia was posted. The 
ensuing day the command moved to Big Springs, where it was ascertained that a 
party of the enemy had entered the road before us for the purpose of blockading it. 
At 2 .\. M., on the 30th, we were again en route, and at daylight came upon a block- 
ade, half a mile long, made by felling large trees across the road. While delayed in 
cutting it out the animals were fed and a strong blockade made in rear. The com- 
mand arrived at Beverly on August 31, having marched, since June 10, 636 miles, 
exclusive of the distance passed over by railroad, and of the marches made by de- 
tachments, which would increase the distance for the entire command to at least 
1,000 miles. This command has been mounted, equipped and drilled; marched over 
600 miles through a rugged mountainous region, fighting the enemy almost daily; had 
one severe battle; destroyed the camps of the enemy; captured large amounts of sup- 
plies and 266 prisoners, in less than eighty days. The strength of the enemy op- 
posed to ine in the engagement at Rocky Gap was 2,500, as near as could be ascer- 
tained by observations and from the reports of prisoners, and also from statements 
of rebel officers. I did not have 1,300 men in the front the first day. * * * * 

The following is the report of Maj. Gen. Sam. Jones, commanding 
the confederate forces of the battle : 

On the evening of August 23 I received information from Col. Wm. S. Jackson that 
Brig. Gen, Averell, U. S. Army, with a force estimated at over 4,000 men, consisting 
of cavalry, mounted infantry and artillery, was in motion from the direction of Moore- 
field. So far as I could ascertain, Gen. Averell was on a raid toward Staunton. He 
had driven Col. Jackson from Hightown and his camp near Huntersville, and the lat- 
ter had fallen back to Gatewood's on Back Creek, on the road from Huntersville to 
Warm Springs. I had a few days previously ridden over that road, Col. Jackson ac- 



212 ROCKY GAP. 

companying me part of the way, and from my own observations and his representa- 
tions, believed that he could detain the enemy on that road long enough to enable me 
to send a force to his assistance or place it in the rear of the enemy. I accordingly 
ordered the First Brigade of my command, C(j1. George S. Patton, commanding, to 
move by the Antony's Creek road. I joined the brigade myself on that road on the 
25th. On the morning of that day I received a dispatch Irom Col. Jackson, dated at 
o'clock on the previous day, at Gatewood's. He informed me that he had driven 
back the enemy's skirmishers to his old camp near Huntersville. The tenor of the 
dispatch induced me to believe that he could not only check the oppiosing force at 
Gatewood's but could move up and join the First Brigade at the intersection of the 
Antony's Creek road from Huntersville to Warm Springs. I dispatched him, inform- 
ing him of the movement of that brigade, directed him, if possible, to join it at the 
junction of the roads above mentioned. I have reason to believe that he never re- 
ceived my dispatch, and that it was intercepted by the enemy. While on the march 
on the 25th information was received, which I deemed reliable, that the enemy had 
not only driven Col. Jackson from Gatewood's but had forced him beyond Warm 
Springs. Still remaining under the impression that the destination of the enemy was 
Staunton, the First Brigade was ordered to turn off from the Antony's Creek road and 
take a shorter route to Warm Springs. After 10 o'clock that night information was 
received which satisfied me that the enemy had abandoned the pursuit of Col. Jackson 
and that while the First Brigade was marching toward Warm Springs, Gen. Averell 
was advancing from Warm Springs to Callaghan's. I immediately ordered Col. Pat- 
ton to return on the Antony's Creek road in the hope of intercepting the enemy on 
the road from the Warm to the White Sulphur Springs. By a night march our ad- 
vance guard reached the intersection of the latter named road at the same instant 
that the head of Averell's column debouched from the defile through the Allegheny 
Mountains on the road from Callaghan's. Gen. Averell endeavored to force his way 
through, but the First Brigade was quickly placed in p)sition when an engagement 
commenced, which, for five hours, was very warm and continued at intervals unti 
dark. That night the troops occupied the same position that they had taken in the 
morning. The enemy made two vigorous attacks the next morning which were hand- 
somely repulsed, when he abandoned his position and retreated towards Warm 
Springs. My cavalry and artillery were ordered in pursuit. ¥ox about ten or eleven 
miles the road passes through a narrow and thickly wooded defile. The enemy availed 
himself of the advantage offered to retard pursuit by felling trees across the 
road. 

The report of Gen. Jones shows his losses to be 20 killed, 129 wound- 
ed and 13 captured — a total of 162, 



CHAPTER XV. 



DRdOP MOUNTAIN. 



Hl'^ MONTHS of September and October were ones of intense 
activity, consisting of heavy picket duty, arduous scouting and 
severe drilling. Scouting was the regular order, and it was the 
exception when one or more scouting parties were not out in the moun- 
tains or valleys, watching the movements of the confederates who were 
constantly hovering about. September iith a flag of truce was sent out 
to ascertain the condition of our wounded at Rocky Oap. The Second 
Virginia went to Huttonvillc on the 14th for picket duty, where they 
remained until the 17th, being relieved by the Fourteenth Pennsylvania 
Cavalry. While here Lieut. Weaver was sent with a detail of seventy- 
five men from ll:c different companies, on a scout to Monterey, Crab 
Orchard and other points. They had several skirmishes, capturing 
some prisoners. On their return to camp, the horse of Sam Knox of 
Company K, slipped over a steej) bank and cripj)led it so that he could 
not continue with the company, and was left with some union people in 
the mountains, who agreed to take care of them until the return of some 
of the men for them. On the return to camp, Sergt. Quimby and twelve 
men were sent out after Knox, a distance of 43 miles. They found that 
the citizens had kept their word, their comrade was safe, and the horse 
had been cared for so that he could carry his owner to camp. When 
this party started for camp, on reaching Dry Fork, they learned that 
about 800 of the confederates had passed at daylight in the direction of 
Beverly, on the road they had to travel. They at once struck down the 
river a few miles, then went over the hills and through the woods, arriv- 
ing in camp safe, after a tramp of about two weeks. On reaching camp, 
they found that it was a part of this force, that had captured Lieut. 
Hutchinson and his party, while on picket. 

On September 24, a detail for picket and patrol duty, was sent to 
Shaffer mountain from Com])any A, consisting of the following mem- 
bers : Lieut. J. R. Hutchinson; Sergts. F. H. Singer, H. Smith and M. 



2 14 ROCKY GAP. 

Campbell; Corps. J. Brccn, C. Jiritch, S. Croco and Ed. Saladin, and 
privates A. Campbell, J. Carrigan, J. Stone, S. L. Reynolds, W. S. 
Taylor, J. Mclarren, J. Washington, 1'. Kirsch, J. Slayer, L. Henrich, 
W. Heine, F. H. McCleane, M. Robel, W. Ludaking, L. Metz, \\. 
Wagner, P. Romiser, F. Dickroger, B. F. Ackelson, AV. Dever, L. H. 
Webster, C. Werner, B. F. Kurtz. They had orders to relieve Comjjan}- 
B and send a patrol of 20 men to the mouth of Seneca, a distance of 20 
miles, each day, until the third day, when they would be relieved. 
After reaching the fjicket post, details were placed out, and nothing 
occurred until after 2 o'clock on the morning of the 25th. 'I'here was a 
heavy wind storm, and under cover of the noise and darkness, Maj. 
Lang, with his battalion of confederates, captured the picket on the 
mountain side of the post, and Lang's force, consisting of seven officers 
and 132 men, com])letely surrounded the picket. Taylor, the guard 
close to camp, gave the alarm, but the darkness was so dense that the 
firing was all at random, until Lang's men set fire to a liay stack, when 
it was seen that the union forces Avere surrounded. \\\ attemi)t was 
made to escape, but it failed, and Peter Romiser was killed, and Ackel- 
son wounded, the rest being captured, eight of whom were sent to 
Anderson\-ille, the rest being imprisoned at Richmond until exchanged, 
being prisoners nearly six months. 

Col. Latham with 152 men of the Second Virginia, went on three 
days' picket duty on the 26th, returning the 29th, without anything of 
note occurring. A confederate scouting party. 50 strong, came within 
two miles of camp on the 26th, but retired in ])recipitate haste when 
their presence was learned. On the 24th one of our scouting parties 
that went to Greenbrier, was fired into, and lost one man wounded and 
two prisoners. 

Intelligence was received that the brave Maj. McNally had died on 
Sept. 22nd, from wounds recei\ed at Rock)- Cap. and on tlie 29th a 
meeting of the officers of the regiment was held, to take action on the 
loss of this gallant officer. Col. George R. Latham presided, and Capt. 
J. K. Billingsley was secretary. Capt. N. \\ . Truxal delivered a eulogy 
on the life and services of the Major, expressing in chaste and beautiful 
language, the estimate in which he was held by the regiment. /\t the 
close of his remarks, he offered the following resolutions, which were 
unanimously adopted: 

Resolved, That we have learned with profound sorrow of the death of Maj. F. P. 
McNally, late of this regiment, and wo deplore it as a calamity not only to his family 
and friends, but in him the country has lost a bra\e and intrepid ofliccr who had 
won his laurels on many battle fields, gallantly supportin;; the glorious Hag of his 
country, and offering his life a sacrifice on her altar. 

Ju-soh'cu/, That we offer to his bereaved companion and aged parents our sincere 
condolence, hoping that the Almighty hand that "tempers the wind to the shorn 
lamb," may guard his helpless child and bind up the Ijleeding hearts. 

Resolved, That as a testimonial of respect for the memory of our beloved brother 



ROCKY GAP. 215 

and officer, we will wear the usual badf:;e of mourning on our sabre belts for thirty 
days. 

Kcsol-.'cil, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the family of the de- 
ceased. 

The month of October was a very busy one to the troops, and the 
service was hard and constant. On the 9th our regiment went to Hnt- 
tonville on picket duty and remained there until the 12th. On the nth 
Col. Latham with 75 men, went on a scout to Elkwater, after some con- 
federate cavalry seen there, returning on the i6th empty handed. The 
picket duty was hea\'y and severe, and scouting parties were out nearly 
all the time. Thus we remained until the close of October, b}- which 
time all the preparations were completed for the successful expedition 
to Droop Mountain. 

On the I St of November, 1863, the order to march was again given, 
and the 2d, 3d and Sth Virginia Mounted Infantry, 14th Pa. Cavalry, 
Gibson's battalion of cavalry, and batteries \\ and (r, First Virginia 
Light Artillery, Capts. Keeper and living, took up the line of march, 
arriving at Huttonville that evening. Lieut. Col. Alex Scott was in 
command of our regiment. The next day the troops crossed Cheat 
Mountain Summit, marching to the Greenbrier river, camping within a 
mile of camp Tiartow. The following day we took the Huntersville road, 
passing through Green Bank, and camping at night at Dunmore, cap- 
turing some of the confederate pickets, and securing plenty of hay for 
our horses. On the 4th we marched through Huntersville, and chased 
Jackson's cavalry, the Second being in the advance of the column. One 
squadron of the regiment was detached as the advance, under command 
of Lieut. A. J. Weaver, who captured two prisoners. The Third Vir- 
ginia and Fourteenth Pa. cavalry were sent to head off Jackson's cavalry, 
while the Second and Eighth Virginia, with one section of Ewing's bat- 
tery, were ordered to march at once to Marlin's Bottoms, six miles north 
of Huntersville on the Greenbrier river, where Jackson's forces were 
supposed to be encami)ed. Arriving about dusk, it was found that Jack- 
son had received intelligence of our approach, and availed himself of 
the privilege of leaving before our arrival, taking the road to Lewisburg, 
which he partially blockaded. We encamj^ed here for the night. The hills 
were filled with bushwhackers, who made things lively for us. Lieut. 
Russell, who was on picket during the night at the camp just vacated by 
the enemy, destroyed a considerable quantity of small arms and 
accoutrements, and also burned their quarters, consisting of very com- 
fortable log houses. The obstructions having been removed during the 
night, we were again in the saddle on the morning of the 5th, at 
daylight, and followed the Lewistown ])ike. Cannonading was soon 
heard in front, which started us int(i a brisk trot, which was kept u|) 
until we reached Mill Point, some ten miles from where we had en- 
camped the night previous. At this place we found the Third Virginia 



2i6 DROOP MOUNTAIN'. 

and Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry in line of battle, with jackscMi's 
force confronting them, whose artillery was iiring at our columns. Our 
whole force was soon on the ground. The Second was ordered to lake 
a position in support of Keeper's battery, when the enemy fell l)ack and 
took a strong position on Drooj) mountain. Three men of our com- 
mand were wounded in the little fight. During the night Jackson was 
reinforced by Gcnl. Echols, with his force from Lewisburg. ccuisisting 
of four regiments, two battalions and a l)atter}-, thus giving the con- 
federates the adwintage in numbers. 

Shortly after sunrise on the 6th, our brigade marched to Ilillslioro. 
where skirmishers were thrown out, and the encm\- opened ujjon us with 
their batteries. Genl. Averell made his dispositions for the battle, and 
assumed the offensive, though the enemy had a very strong position on 
the mountain, and were superior in numbers. About noon Lieut. Col. 
Scott was ordered to dismount the Second, to fight on foot, with instruc- 
tions to detach one company and post them on an elevated position, as 
a guard for the horses of the dismounted trooi)s. He was then ordered 
to take a position between the Third and Eighth \'irginia and to act in 
support of those two regiments. The strength of the regiment when 
placed in position was about 200 men, a great many being detached. 
On arriving at the foot of the hill where the confederates were posted, 
the Second passed the Eighth Virginia, leaving them on our left. mo\ing 
on for the purpose of ascertaining the position of the Third Virginia. 
Col. Scott was then ordered to begin his advance up the hill toward the 
enemy's works, which he did through briers, tree toi)s and obstacles of 
various kinds. After gaining an open piece of ground, the colonel re- 
formed his men and moved further up the hill, where he formed in line of 
battle on the left of the Third Virginia. Soon battery B on the left, and 
the confederate artillery, opened up, and the result was an interesting 
and lively artillery duel, continued for some time. This and the skir- 
mishing were kept up until about 3 o'clock, when the infantry, under 
C'ol. Moor, was sent around by a circintous route to turn the enemv's 
left and strike him in the flank and rear. The Second and Thirtl Vir- 
ginia and two companies of the Eighth Virginia, advanced in 
front, and the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalr\- and P)atter\- \\ 
and Independent Cavalry Battalion were on the left. while 
Battery C was on the right. Presently a few reports were heard from 
the direction in which the infantr\- had gone, followed by volleys of 
musketry, which were being hurled into the ranks in the rear of the un- 
suspecting enemy. Then came the time for the forces in front to act. 
when the dismounted regiments, in accordance with ])re\ious orders, 
came out of their hiding jdaces and advanced to the attack in front. 
Battery C now opened with their guns and joined with the effective work 
of Keeper's battery. AVhen our line was within ten or fifteen yards of 
the crest of the mountain, the eneni)- opened upon us, and a sheet of flame 



DROOP MOUNTAIN. 217 

issued from the mountain top, as the confederates poured a terrific fire 
of musketry into the faces of our brave boys. The whole line was then 
pushed forward with vigor, and never flinched or wavered, but advanced 
with the tread of veterans and returned the fire with telling effect. 
The fighting was fierce and terrible, a battle to the death, the musketry 
fire being very rapid. We had one advantage, that as we advanced up 
the steep mountain, the fire of the enemy passed over our heads, and 
thus saved our line from being mowed down. Steadily our men ad- 
vanced, driving their foe from the breastworks of fence rails, logs and 
stones, that they had hastily thrown u]). Cattery G helped materially in 
breaking the line of the enemy, throwing shot and shell among 
them when our lines were within 20 or 30 feet of their line. Indeed we 
were at so close quarters, that the artillery fire endangered a part of our 
men, though fortunately hurting none, while effective shot were being 
thrown into the now hard pressed ranks of the confederates. Company 
B, of the Second was deployed as skirmishers, and relieved those of the 
I':ighth Virginia on the extreme left of our line on the bluff in the woods. 
When the column came up on the right of the company, they filed right 
to join their regiment, then close to the top. As the men of the com- 
])any emerged from the timber, they were saluted with shot from our 
own battery. C. I'l Ringler got upon a high rock and tried to signal 
our gunners to cease, when another rattling shot saluted them. He 
quickly seized a tall sapling and substituted its top leaves with the front 
section of his white nether garment, whereupon they were relieved from 
this danger, but the enemy were not. After about two hours of fighting 
the Second and Third Virginia, with yells and cheers, loud and strong, 
charged into the jaws of death and fire, and carried the position by 
storm, driving the enemy like chaff before the wind, who retreated pre- 
cipitately toward Lewisburg. 

Lieut. J. B. Smith, of the Second, with some of his men, was the first 
to get inside the enemy's breastworks. Sergeant Keeny, of Company 
H, was stunned by a shot that struck a tree by him, and he claims that 
at least one-half hour of his life was lost by the shock. The line had 
advanced some distance before he regained consciousness. Lieut. A. J. 
Weaver, while waving his sword and urging his men forward, was struck 
by a musket ball, which stilled that noble heart. As he fell he said in a 
faint voice, "I'ell Jimmie to write to Hattie.'' Jimmie was the bugler of 
the company, a lad of 15 years, now lieutenant, U. S. A., and Hattie 
v,'as a lady in Baltimore, to whom the lieutenant was engaged to be 
married. His last words were in remembrance of her. When the 
breastworks were captured, Isaac Wilt, of Company K, came into the 
presence of a confederate lieutenant, who refused to retreat or sur- 
render, but with bitter oaths was urging his men back to the works. 
Wilt plunged his bayonet through the man, who died with oaths on his 
lips, cursing the men that were defending their country, 
o 



2iS DROOP MOIJNTATN. 

The confederates retreated in great haste and disorder, and (iibson's 
cavalry battalion, which had been held in rescr\'e, and a section of K\v- 
ing's battery, were at once sent forward in pursuit, and man)' of the rest 
of the troops, hastily monnting their horses, kept u]) with thein, striking 
hard blows on the beaten and discomfited foe. 'I'hough in the hottest 
of the severe fighting, and punished considerably, the men of the Second 
were in the front in the chase, which lasted for about 12 miles. 'J'he 
ground was strewn with guns and accoutrements; and the n])turned faces 
of the poor victims, formed a ghastl) picture in this terrible scene of 
carnage. All the men behaved sjilendidly, and like \'eterans, and it is 
but just to say that our own regiment exhibited the (puilities of true 
soldiers, excelled by none. Prompt, \'igilant and lieroic, the) did llieir 
whole duty. 

Lieut. Col. Scott, in his official report of the battle, had this to say: 
"With but few exceptions the men antl officers behaxed ni)l)lv. I take 
pleasure in making special mention of the gallantry and daring exhibited 
by Lieut. J. B. Smith, of Company E. He is the youngest officer in 
the regiment and is deserving of great credit. .Vdjutant L Combs antl 
Lieut. A. J. Pentecost, exhibited great coolness and daring, and rend- 
ered important service throughout the fight. I also mention the names 
of Capt. Piarclay, Lieuts. J. 1\.. I'^risbie, L. P. Salterbach, A. I\ Russell, 
Charles H. Day and Felix Hughes, as being acti\ely engaged during the 
entire engagement." 

The losses of our regiment in this exjjedition were as follows: 

Killed — Charles Ritz, Company C; Andrew 15crnard, Samuel Bowden, 
Edward Doyle and Wm. L Hughes, Comiiany D; Thos. J. Akers, John 
Murphy and Moses Moore, Company 1']: Lieut. A. L ^N'caver, (Com- 
pany K. 

Wottiidcd — William Jenkins, John Kerns, C'ompany V>: Henry iimmer- 
ing (died of wounds), Comj^any C; Michael f^.rubach, Compan}- D; 
Wm. Cxarroll (died of wounds), W. PL Foulke, Geo. P)ent, S. L. D. 
Hudson, Company E; John Hope, Sergt. Thos. AVilliams, Compan\- II; 
Lieut. C. H. Day, Company I: M. D. Kenny (died of wounds), Edward 
C. Maley (died of wounds), Thomas McConkey (died of wounds), John 
Salyards, Company K. 

On the 7th we marched to Lewisburg, where we rnet Ccn. Duftic with 
four regiments of infantry and four pieces of artillery. Pie did not 
even get a shot at the enemy, but burned their camps at this place. 
The next day we left Lewisburg antl passed through AMiite Sulphur 
Springs, and over the Rocky (iap battle ground, and camped on the 
Warm Springs road near Callaghan's. At White Sulphur Springs we re- 
leased such of our men as were wounded at Rocky Gap, as were able to 
join us. The brave fellows were rejoiced to see us. and the meeting 
with their comrades was a happy and an affecting one. Gen. Duffic left 
us two miles from Lewisburtr and went on the Union road. 'Phe 'Pentli 



DROOr MOUNTAIN. .219 

Virginia and Twenty-eighth Ohio infantry and battery B left us here, 
and went back to Beverly with our wounded and prisoners, and cattle. 
AVe had left then only the mounted regiments, and our own battery G, 
the pride of the regiment. On the 9th we marched to Gatewood, about 
seventeen miles. I.ieut. Schmolzc and twelve men of Company F Sec- 
ond Virginia, were in the advance, and they captured fifteen confed- 
erates, with their horses and accoutrements. We were threatened by 
Cien. Imboden near Covington, and prepared to give him battle, but he 
declinetl it. On the loth we niarchetl to Green Hill on the Monterey 
road, and were considerably bushwhacked, one of the men of the com- 
mand being killed and another wounded. The ne.xt day we marched 
beyond Monterey about nine miles. At Crab Bottom a part of our 
brigade was met by some of Thoburn's brigade, who had come out to 
see us. We reached Petersburg on the 13th, where we remained until 
the 1 6th, when we resumed our march. About nineteen miles from this 
place, we learned of the capture of a wagon train of seventy wagons, 
containing stores for the troops at Petersburg, by McNeill's guerillas. 
The Third Virginia and Cjibson's battalion were sent after them, but 
without effect. A\'e arrived at New Creek November 17th, and went 
into camp, where we remained without any special incidents, until the 
brigade started on the Salem raid. 

Since leaving Beverly, seventeen days, we marched 296 miles, a part 
of the time suffering intensely from the cold, constantly subjected to the 
hidden attacks of bushwhackers, and having fought one of the most 
gallant and triumphant little battles of the war. 

The following is General Avcrell's report of this expedition: 

On the ist day of November, I left Beverly with my command consisting of the 
Twenty-eighth Ohio Vohinteer Infantry, Col. J. A. Moor; Tenth West Vii-ginia Vol- 
unteer Infantry, Col. J. M. Harris; Second West Virginia Mounted Infantry, Lieut. 
Col. A. Scott; Third West Virginia Mounted Infantry, Lieut. Col. F. W. Thompson; 
Eighth West Virginia Mounted Infantry, Col. J. H. Oley; Fourteenth Pennsylvania 
Cavalry, Col. J. N. Schoonmaker; Gibson's Battalion, and Batteries, B. and G., First 
West Virginia Light Artillery, Capts. J. V. Keeper and C. T. Ewing. The command 
moved on the Staunton pike to Greenbrier Bridge and thence by Camp Bartow and 
Green Bank to Huntersville, driving before them the enemy's pickets, and capturing 
or dispersing the guerrilla bands which infest that part of the country. The com- 
mand reached Huntersville at noon of the 4th and it was there ascertained that Lieut. 
Col. Thompson, of Jackson's command was at Marlin's Bottom, with a force of about 
600 men. I at once sent the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry and Third West Vir- 
ginia Mounted Infantry on the direct road to Mill Point, to cut off Thompson's retreat 
toward Lewisburg, and the Second and Eighth West Virginia Mounted Infantry and 
one section of Ewing's battery to Marlin's Bottom, to attack him at that place. At 
9 o'clock I received information from Col. Oley, Eighth West Virginia Mounted In- 
fantry, comrhanding detachment to Marlin's Bottom that the enemy had retired 
toward Mill Point, blockading the road in their rear. A dispatch from Col. Schoon- 
maker, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, received about midnight, informed me that 
Thompson had effected a junction with the remainder of Jackson's command, and that 
it was all in position in his front and threatening an attack. The infantry and Keeper's 



2 20 DROOP MOUNTAIN. 

battery were moved about 3 a. m. to join Schoonmakcr, and Oley was ordered to cut 
out the blockade and march to the same point as fast as possible. I reached Mill 
Point with the infantry and Keeper at 8 a, m. on the 5th, and found that they had just 
arrived, and that the enemy were retirinf;. This was Thursday, the 5th of Novem- 
ber. We were thirty-four miles from Lewisburfj, at which point it had been directed 
that my force should arrive on Saturday, at 2 r. m. It was not thought proper to 
press the enemy vigorously on this day, in order to keep him as far as possible from 
Lewisburg, and not to permit him to be re-enforced from that direction, and to gain 
the advantage which would follow from the arrival at Lewisburg of the force under 
Gen. Duffie from the Kanawha Valley. An attempt was, however, made to capture 
the force under Jackson by sending three mounted regiments to cut off his reti-eat. 
The rapidity of the enemy's movements made this attempt unsuccessful, and he suc- 
ceeded in reaching Droop Mountain, upon the summit of which he made a stand. 
My advance was withdrawn from the tire of his artillery and the attack postponed 
until the ensuing day. On the morning of the Cth, we approached the enemy's posi- 
tion. The main road to Lewisburg runs over Droop Mountain, the northern slope of 
which is partially cultivated nearly to the summit, a distance of two and one-half 
miles from the foot. The highway is partially hidden in the views from the summit 
and base in strips of woodland. It is necessary to pass over low rolling hills and 
across bewildering ravines to reach the mountain in any direction. The position of 
the enemy was defined by a skirmishing attack of three companies of infantry. It 
was thought that a direct attack would be difficult. The infantry and one company of 
cavalry were therefore sent to the right to ascend a range of hills which ran westward 
from Droop Mountain, with orders to attack the enemy's left and rear. To di\-ert the 
enemy's attention from this, the Fourteenth Pennsylvania and Keeper's battery made 
a successful demonstration upon his right. The remainder of the command prepared 
for action. While these movements were progressing, the arrival of re-enforcements 
to the enemy was announced by the music of a band, the display of battle-flags and 
loud cheers of the rebels on the top of the mountain. The attack of our infantry 
1,175 strong ^^'"is conducted skillfully and resolutely by Col. A. Moor. The guide 
who had been sent with him pro\-ing worthless, he directed his column, nine miles, 
over the mountains and through the wilderness to the enemy's left, led by the flying 
pickets and the sound of his cannon. The intermittent reports of musketry heralded 
the approach of Col. Moor to his destination, and at 1:45 p. m. it was evident from the 
sound of the battle on the enemy's left and his disturbed appearance in front, that the 
time for the direct attack had arrived. The Second, Third and Eighth West Virginia 
dismounted, were moved in line obliquely to the right up the face of the mountain, 
until their right was joined to Moor's left. The fire of Ewing's battery was added to 
that of Keeper's. At 3 p. m. the enemy were driven from the summit of the moun- 
tain upon which they had been somewhat protected by rude breastworks of logs, 
stones, and earth. Gibson's battalion and one section of Ewing's battery were at 
once ordered to pursue the routed rebels. Fragments of each regiment were already 
eagerly in pursuit. The horses of the Second, Third, Eighth and Fourteenth 
were brought up the mountain as soon as possible. The infantry- 
pushed forward, and as soon as details had been made for succoring 
the wounded and burying the dead, the entire command followed the enemy until 
dark. It appeared from the reports of prisoners that the enemy's force had consisted 
of the Fourteenth Virginia Cavalry, Twenty-second Virginia Infantry, Derrick's Bat- 
talion, Edgar's Battalion, Jackson's Brigade and seven pieces of artillery ; in all, about 
4000 men. His loss in killed and wounded was about 250, one piece of artillery and 
one stand of colors. Several men of my command reported having seen and measured 
two other pieces of artillery abandoned by the enemy and secreted by the wa3-sidc. 
Time was not had, however, to look after them. J did not desire to reap more tb.an 
the immediate fruits of victory that evening. It was yet twenty miles to Lewisburg, 



DROOP MOUNTAIN. 221 

and I hoped that by letting the enemy alone during the night, he might loiter on 
the route and be caught the next day between my command and the force expected 
from the Kanawha Valley. As we went down the mountain the following morning, we 
could see the smoke of several camp fires along the mountains to the eastward, show- 
ing that the enemy had been somewhat dispersed. On the 7th I moved rapidly for- 
v.ard over an excellent road toward Lewisburg. The Fourteenth, which was in ad- 
vance, reached that place at 2 p. m. , and found Gen. Dufifie with four regiments and 
one section of artillery already in possession of the town. He had reached it at 10 p. 
M., capturing a few stragglers and such material as the enemy had been unable to re- 
move in his flight. I learned that a small portion of the enemy's main body had 
passed through Lewisburg in great disorder early on the morning of the 7th on their 
way to Dublin. I also learned that Gen. Lee had promised Brig. Gen. Echols ample 
re-enforcements at or near that point. I determined to move with my whole com- 
mand to that place, and accordingly set out on the morning of the 8th. After pro- 
ceeding a few miles a formidable blockade was encountered through which it was 
necessary to cut a passage. Gen. Duifie reported his command as unfit for further 
operations, as his infantry had but one day's rations and was so exhausted as to be 
able to march only ten miles per day. My own infantry was encumbered with the 
prisoners, captured property and material. L therefore, ordered Gen. Duffie to retire 
to Meadow Bluff, and Col. Moor, with the Twenty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 
Tenth West Virginia Volunteer Infantry and Keeper's Battery to return to Beverly, 
taking with him all the prisoners and such of the wounded from the battle of Droop 
Mountain as could be transported. Col. Moor brought from Hillsborough fifty-five of 
our own and one rebel wounded. He left with those who were too badly wounded to 
bear transportation, Asst. Surgeon Blair, Tenth West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, 
and supplied them with all the rations, hospital stores and medicines which could be 
spared. His command reached Beverly on the 12th, bringing with it all the prisoners, 
property, etc., which had been captured up to the arrival of my command at Lewis- 
burg. With the cavalry, mounted infantry and Ewing's battery of my command, I 
moved via White Sulphur Springs to near Callaghan's, passing through the battle- 
ground of Ilocky Gap on my way. At White Sulphur I retook the wounded of my 
command who had been left after the battle of Rocky Gap in August last. At Cal- 
laghan's, on the morning of the 9th, I learned that Gen. Imboden, with from 900 to 
1,500 men, was at Covington on his v/ay to re-enforce Echols at Union. Not deeming 
his command of sufficient importance to delay my march, and knowing the impossi- 
bility of bringing him to a fight, I sent two squadrons of the Eighth West Virginia 
Mounted Infantry, under Maj. Slack, to drive him away from my line of march. This 
was accomplished after a sharp skirmish, in which Imboden was reported wounded, 
and one lieutenant and twenty men of his command were captured. From Callag- 
han's I moved by Gatewood's up the Back Creek road to Franklin; the main body of 
the command moved through Monterey and joined me about eight miles beyond that 
place. At Hightown I met Col. Thoburn, with a brigade of infantry and two pieces 
of artillery, whom I directed to return to Petersburg. My command reached Peters- 
burg on the 13th where it was supplied with rations and forage. On the 17th I 
arrived at New Creek, bringing with me about 150 captured horses and 27 prisoners, 
exclusive of those which were sent from Lewisburg with Col. Moor. Several hundred 
cattle were captured on the march. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



THE SALEM RAID. 




EN. BURNSIDE was besieged at Knoxville, Tenn., by confed- 
erate Gen. Longstreet, and in order to raise the siege by cutting 
off the latter's supplies, and compel him to move his 
base of supplies, Gen. Averell was directed to cut the railroad, and in- 
terrupt communication between Richmond and Knoxville, at all hazards, 
even if his whole force was captured or destroyed. By a dispensation 
of Providence, Gen. Averell was enabled not only to accomplish the 
plans laid down, and the results desired, but as well to return to our 
lines with the loss of a very small number of his men, and none of his 
artillery. 

The command left New Creek December 8, 1863, the brigade consist- 
ing of the Second, Third and Eighth West Va. Mounted Infantry, the 
14th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Gibson's Cavalry Battalion, and four guns of 
Battery G, First West Virginia Light Artillery, all under the command of 
Gen. Averell. Lieut. Col. Alex. Scott was in command of the Second, 
and Capt. Ewing in command of the battery. The morning was bright 
and beautiful, and gave little promise of the terrible weather that the 
command would be subjected to in the long and hard campaign. We 
reached Petersburg on the evening of the 9th, and the next day Franklin, 
where we were met by the First and 14th West Va. Infantry, one section 
23d Illinois Artillery and the Ringgold Cavalry. The next day we 
reached Monterey, where three of the Third Virginia were wounded. 
Here we divested ourselves of all incumbrances and prepared for the 
great march. Our supply train went no further, rations being issued to 
the men, and forage for the horses, to last until we shouUl again reach 
our lines. All men and ofticers unfit for severe duty, were sent back to 
New Creek, only the able bodied, well equipped and well mounted men 
going forward. 

The confederates were totally in the dark as to our movements, until 
Gen. Imboden learned of them through a young lady friend. By the 



SALEM RAID. 223 

time he received this information, the brigade had a fair start, and was 
oft and away on its mission of destruction. Movements were made as if 
our destination was Staunton, which caused Gen. Lee to order Gen. 
Early from his army to Staunton, to assume command, and to meet us 
and our forces in tlie Shenandoah valley. They were completely de- 
ceived as to our real intentions. The weather became very cold on the 
nth, ami on the 12th rainetl all day, through which the command 
marched 21 miles. On the 13th we went 23 miles, and on the 14th 22 
miles, camping near Callaghan's stand. On the 13th we overtook a body 
of the enemy, captured their wagons, etc., crossed the creek 13 times, 
which was swollen very high and was very swift, camping on its inhos- 
l)itable banks. Everything in our front was brushed away from us, 
scouts were captured from whom we received some information, and we 
were aided to some extent by the loyal citizens, who gave us informa- 
tion about the roads, mountains, streams and bridges, and of the num- 
ber of the enemy and their movements. It rained steadily and had be- 
come intensely cold, the wind blew hard from the north, and snow and 
sleet, and tlie elements, air antl water, seemed to be against us. We 
were in sore need of food and sleep, but the march never ceased on that 
account. On the 14th we marched to Govington, and passed it and 
Sweet Sul[ihur Springs. The ne.vt day Red Sulphur Springs were passed, 
the tired troops marching all night and crossing four mountains, on 
whose sides and plateaus but few signs of life were to be seen. 

Tliis night the advance of the command came upon a wedding party, 
enjoying the festivities of the occasion, who were unaware that the hated 
Yankees were so near. Gomrade E. E. Seaman, quartermaster sergeant 
of the Second Virginia, gives the following graphic account of the affair: 

"In cnir march over the mountains, between Sweet Springs and New 
Gastle, I was in the advance guard. It was one of the darkest nights I 
ever saw. Almost the only light we could see was the sparks made by 
our horses' feet striking the rocks. When near the top of the mountain 
we suddenly saw a light in a window a very short distance ahead, and 
soon afterward heard the sound of music and the shuffling of feet in the 
(lance. One of our scouts, who was dressed in the confederate uniform, 
came galloping back and said, 'Boys, there's some fun ahead. The 
rebs are having a big dance in that cabin. The other scouts and my- 
self went in and had a good time shaking the foot with those pretty 
girls. Tliey are daisies, I tell you.' Waiting a few moments till all the 
command came up, we quietly advanced, and soon had the house com- 
pletely surrounded.. I was in command of the squad, and soon as we 
were sure of everything I went forward to the door and ordered the 
crowd to surrender. You never saw a company more completely 
thunderstruck. About twenty Johnnies, as soon as they could collect 
their wits, were compelled to release their fair partners and yield them- 
selves up to less agreeable company. 



2 24 SALEM R A ID. 

'Fall ill line,' was the command to the prisoners. All obeyed except 
one tall, fniely-formed young man, who stood unmoved, with Ids hand 
resting lightly on the shoulder of a chubby maiden in white, 'i'he young 
thing clung closer to him with modest trustfulness, betra\ing no sign of 
fear for the sudden and rude disturbance of her joy. She was by far 
the calmer of the two, and was acting like a little heroine. 'Jdie small 
left hand crept a little closer about his neck, and she said with a plead- 
ing sorrowfulness that thrilled my whole being: 

We have just been married, sir; and you are not going to take George 
away from me now, are you ? 

Trained by the discipline of war, I was compelled to subdue what I 
felt, and try to make the best of the situation. I toKl her as gently as 
I could that war was a sad thing, and that as soldiers there was nothing 
left for us but to do our duty, but as men we deeply sympathized with 
her. I assured her that her young husband, as our prisoner, should be 
treated with every kindness, and that, doubtless, within a few months he 
would be exchanged and be with her again. As the young man pressed 
his fair-haired bride to his bosom that new love which, in its sweetness 
and its purity, is the same it has always been since time began, became 
too strong to be longer confined. It welled up from a full heart, and, 
bursting its bounds, gave vent in a torrent of convulsive sobs. A silence 
had fallen upon us all, and I saw many cjf the old weather-stained men 
draw their sleeves (luickly across their faces. Somehow I felt like it 
would be inhuman to speak a word. In a few moments she gained some 
command over herself, and, unloosing her arms, raised her tear-stained 
face to his. He clasped her suddenly and kissed her tluee times pas- 
sionately. 'Good-bye, George; good-bye,' she said; ' God bless you! ' 
Her eyes followed him to the door as we moved out. Poor thing I That 
was her last sight of him on the earth. 

He was accidentally drowned while crossing Jackson river. In the 
summer of 1S84, I went to the Sweet Springs, and while there got a 
buggy and drove over that mountain. liy making inquiries I was able 
to find out that the bride of 20 years ago was still living, and after some 
search, discovered her, and had the pleasure of a short conversa- 
tion with her. She never suspected, of course, that I knew 
her story, for 20 years had changed me as you may imagine, 
too much to make any recognition possible. She had remained true to 
her first love and refused all offers of a second marriage. Representing 
myself as a stranger, from common place to])ics I led the talk as easily 
as I could back to the war. She conversed very pleasantly till that sub- 
ject was mentioned, when her manner became more quiet, and her gaze 
drifted from near objects to the long, blue horizon down the mountain, 
as if strained to discover something lost. I soon left, and have never 
seen her since." 

We marched all night of the 15th, and the condition of the troops was 



SALEM RAID. 225 

bad. Many horses were broken down, more lame, some of the men 
were obliged to walk, and the entering on the eventful day of the 16th 
of December was not as bright a prosj^ect as we could have wished. We 
were about 200 miles from our base of supplies, in the very heart of the 
enemy's country, on the line of one (jf the great railways of the confed- 
eracy, with Imboden, Jones, Fitz l.ee, Echols, McCausland and Jack- 
son searching for us, and we had, all told, not more than 1,500 men and 
four guns. \Ve entered Salem, the objective j^oint, about noon on the 
1 6th, and immediately began the work of destruction. The column 
moved to the right and left, burning the mills, depot, railroad bridges, 
tracks and culverts for several miles each way. A general stampede was 
in progress among the citizens and such confederate soldiers as were 
there. A passenger train was approaching the town, and one of the guns 
of the battery was placed in position to disable it. Comrade A. G. Os- 
borne, corporal and gunner of the first piece, was ordered to throw the 
shot, and gives the following account of it: "I put in a percussion 
shell as soon as I heard the train coming, and had made up my mind to 
tlisable the engine, if possible, and was waiting until I could get a good 
view of it before firing. The smoke-stack had just come in view when 
Lieut. Meigs rushed up and asked me why I did not fire. I told him I 
was waiting for a better view so that I could put a shell into the machin- 
ery or boiler of the engine so as to disable it; but he ordered me to fire, 
when I could not see anything but about two feet of the top of the smoke- 
stack. Of course I had to obey orders, and the result was no damage 
to anything but the smoke-stack. Gen. Avercll said after the shot that 
I was too quick. I told him I knew it, but that I was ordered to fire the 
shot by one of his staff." l>efore another shot could be fired the train 
was moving off at a rapid rate and soon was out of reach. Gen. Averell's 
report attached gives the amount of stores, etc., destroyed. 

.When the v,'ork of destruction was complete, the command prepared 
to retrace their steps, and about 3 p. m. of the i6th started homeward, 
returning through the North Mountain on the New Castle road. Not 
knowing the i)erils of the homeward march, we camped at Mason's 
Creek, about six miles from Salem. It rained and snowed incessantly 
during the night, but the weary and overworked soldiers slept soundly 
until 5 o'clock the next morning, when the bugle called them from their 
slumbers to renew the march. The Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry 
led the advance. Craig's Creek was reached about noon. The heavy 
rain during the night had swollen the stream to its banks, and it was 
full of slush, ice and driftwood. The valley was narrow, with but little 
ground on either side of the creek, and in many places none between 
the creek and the steep mountain side. The road crossed the creek 
seven times within a distance of ten or twelve miles. The enemy was 
pursuing us in large force, and there was no alternative but to ford the 
wild stream. The water was mid rib deep on the large horses, and the 



226 SALJiAf RAID. 

current so strong that the animals had to l)c kept with tlirir breasts U]j 
the stream anil worked across sideways. If the current were permitted 
to strike the horses sideways, which happened finite fre(piently, liorse 
and rider were carried down the stream, and a numbei" oi men were 
drowned in this way. The artillery and ambulances were dragged 
through the stream with ropes by the men. The weather was so cold, 
part of the time below zero, that the clothing of tlie men was fro/en 
stiff soon after leaving the water. The horses were covered with icicles 
and trembling from the cold. Tlie whole afternoon was spent in cross- 
ing the creek, and when finally accomplished, men and horses were 
almost jjaralyzed, and suffered intensely from the cold as well as from 
hunger. After a few crossings had been effected it was with difficulty 
the horses were forced into the stream, and they were whipped and 
spurred to compel obedience. 

Lieut. C"ol. Blakely, of the 14th I'eunsylvania Cavalr}-, was ordered to 
cross the stream rapidly and jjroceetl at once to New Castle, as the 
enemy were moving on that place. ^\'hen the last fording was reached, 
several efforts were made to force the horses into the stream, but all 
efforts failed. The men found some sheaf oats and hay, and a few 
minutes were spent in feeding tlie poor brutes, (ieu. Averell, without 
the attendance of aids or staff, came galh^i^ing uf) and tcjok a survey of 
the ford. This one appeared more dangercnis than any that had pre- 
ceded it, and the general was fearful that the horses, in tlieir weakened 
condition, would be unable to stem the current. lie a|)plied tlie spurs 
vigorously t(j his own horse, when rider and horse dashed into the 
stream, with many anxious hearts watching the desperate struggle of a 
brave man with the mad current. AVhcn he reached the opposite shore, 
he was cheered by the men. He acknowletlged the compliment b\' lift- 
ing his hat and saying: -'Come on boys," and then rode off hastily in 
the direction of New Castle. 

From New Castle the 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry conslituled the rear 
guard. Tieut. A. |. Pentecost, and a number of men composed of 
quartermaster and commissary sergeants, wagonmasters, etc., had charge 
of the wagon and ambulance train. Gen. Averell was forced into tlie 
by roads by the enemy, and their condition made it difficult to move 
the train, each wagon requiring a number of men to prevent its upsetting. 
After two days and nights of marching and skirmishing witli t!ie enemy, 
the advance: of the ambulance corps, about 1 :; o'clock at night, reached 
the mouth of tlie gap leading through the mountain to Jackson river. 
Gen. Averell had during the day captured a confederate courier, with 
dispatches, from which he learned the movements of the enemy; and in 
consequence of imminent danger to his command, was compelled to 
move rapidly to Jackson river, to prevent the enem)- from burning the 
bridge at that point, leaving the train from 10 to 12 miles in the rear. 
The roadway through the mountain to Jackson river, is a deep, narrow 



SALEM RAID. 227 

defile, from 2 to 3 miles in length, and so narrow that it was with the 
greatest difficulty for any one to pass from the rear to the front. The 
road bed was covered with ice, and it was impossible to prevent the 
horses from falling, and at times many of them would be down at once. 
This, with the upsetting of the wagons, greatly retarded the movements 
(jf the wagon train and rear guard. The enemy had been pressing our 
rear vigorously. After Averell with the main column had passed out of 
the gap, charged the enemy that were guarding the bridge and routed 
them, the confederates under Gen. W. L. Jackson took possession of 
the gap and quietly awaited the approach of the train. The night was 
very dark and cold, and on the approach of the ambulances the horses 
were seized by Jackson's men and led into their camp. Three ambu- 
lances were captured in this way, and some of the men in them did not 
know they were prisoners until the next morning. Capt. Markbreit A. 
A. (r., Averell's brigade, Lieut. Col. Polsley Eighth Virginia, and Lieut. 
McAdams, of the ambulance corps, were captured in this way. 

Lieut. Pentecost, Commissary Sergeant G. LL Kirkpatrick, and Capt. 
\V. H. Brown were ritling in advance about this time, when they met a 
man and asked him where he was going and who he was. Lie replied 
that he was going to Jackson's camp. He held a revolver in his hand. 
Pentecost at once grasped his arm ami took the revolver from him, at 
the same time informing him that he was a prisoner, which did not seem 
to disturb him much, and willingly accompanied his captors back to 
where some of the men had started a fire. Liiagine the astonishment of 
our men on seeing a number of confederate officers standing about the 
fire, in conversation with some of our own officers. The confederates 
stated that we were surrounded and would be prisoners in the morning, 
and then retired. Lieut. Pentecost at break of day formed his detach- 
ment in line, com])Osed of those that were with the train, and advanced 
toward the river some distance away. During the night the enemy had 
moved from our front to our rear, supposing that we would not be able 
to cross Jackson river, the bridge being burned, and the river swollen, 
and full of floating ice and drift. Col. Blakely brought up the rear 
with his regiment, skiruiishing all the way until we reached the river. 
Several of the Fourteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry plunged into the river 
to cross, but some of tliem were drowned in the attempt. A citizen 
had been asked if the river was fordable at tliis place, when he stated 
that it was perfectly safe, which led to the drowning of our men. The 
citizen was at once thrown in and was drowned. A woman who lived 
near the burned bridge was then asked to inform us where we could find 
a fording place, which she at first refused to do; but upon threatening 
to burn her house, she told us there was a ford some distance up the 
river. Capt. Jas. L. Kelley with a squad at once started to find it, and 
succeeded. In the meantime Majors Daily and Foley of the Fourteenth 
Pennsylvania Cavalry, kept the enemy in check in the rear, and were 



2 28 SALEM RAID. 

liard pressed. Tlie order was then given to park the wagons and l)uni 
them, which was at once done. The enemy then sent in a flag of I nice 
demanding a surrender, which was prcjmptl}' refused, wh.en they began 
to shell the hard pressed union forces. Our men then retreateil up a 
narrow path., along the river to tlie ford, two miles above. Arriving 
there they at (Mice ])lunged into the swollen stream, and swam their 
horses over. Lieut. Pentecost was directed to cross the ford and take 
position with his men to cover the retreat and crossing of Major Daily 
and his battalion, which was done. The enemy having detected the 
withdrawal of our trooi)s, advanced, but after a sharp contest witli 
Pentecost, Major Daily's command succeeded in crossing safely. Mad 
it not been for the gallant and ilelermined resistance of Lieut. Pentecost 
and the genuine pluck of the men with him, ^hljor Daily and his men 
would have fallen into the hands of the eneui)-. Our loss al the ri\er 
was one officer, Lieut. I\iur]jhy troop ('. T'ourleenlh Pennsylvania Cav- 
alry wounded, three men killed and foui- di-o\vned, among the latter the 
unfortunate bridegroom whom we had captured on the mountain to]). 
The and)ulances with the sick and wounded, were left in tlie hands of 
the enemy. All the wagons of the brigade were destroyed by our own 
men. 

The belated comuuind at once started at a rajiid ]iace for ("ovinglou, 
seven miles distant, d'he bridge at that [tlace liad also been destroyed, 
and again they were compelled to ford the ri\er, which was accomp- 
lished without loss. They rode rapidly forward, exi)ecting to join C.eii. 
Averell and the main column at Oallaghan's stand, at the juncli<ui of ihr 
Warm Springs and Rocky Gaj) roads, but here they found the cDlumn 
gone, they having given the delayed men up as lost. They rode on and 
caught up to the general during the night, on the top of the Allegheny 
mountains, where they had sto]Ji)ed a few hours for rest. 

The command was now all together again, and C.en. Averell was tak- 
ing a needed rest, and to give himself time to tlecide what to do next. 
It is said that the negroes were called to headcjuarters, and one. a boy 
perhai)s twelve years old, said he knew a way across Greenbrier river by 
a ford far above Lewisburg. He had been there to mill with his master. 
Hearing this, Gen Averell i)ut the boy on a horse, ordered -boots and 
saddles" to be sounded, and then "forward." The boy led us up 
Oggle's Creek and down Antony's Creek, over the Allegheny .Moun- 
tains—high, rough, wild and icy. The horses were taken from tin- 
artillery and long roj^es attacheiL, men were dismounted, and drew the 
pieces up and down that fearful mountain path. Our advance reached 
the Greenbrier River at dark the evening of December 20. We found 
the stream swollen and full of floating ice. It seemed impossible to 
cross. Gen. Averell in i)erson directed the crossing and tested the ford. 
Cakes of ice from ten to fifteen feet square, and heavy enough to sub- 
merge a horse, were constantly passing. The (jrder came to plunge in 



SALEM RAID. 229 

and cross. This was done without h)ss. The command was in no mood 
to hesitate. Hunger, cold, exhaustion had done their utmost. lint 
they had barely u,otten under way again, when a small party of the 
enemy attacked them in front, but were (h-iven in confusion by a charge 
of our men. Here the command turned to the right, and on the 20th 
entered Hillsl)oro, where they went into camp. The next day they 
moved to iMlray. where supplies were (u-dered. which met the ahnost 
faiuished men twelve miles from that place. (Jn Christmas day 1S63, 
the gallant, intrejtid men, entered iieverly. and were now safely m our 
lines. 

Personal adventures on this expedition were many and ver\- thrilling, 
a few of which are given in the article on tlie scouts. The cai)tnre of 
the v.-edding party is the theme of letters from some of the boys, who 
evidently relish il as one of the bright spots in that dark and (h-eary 
trip. Several of the hungry boys feasted on cake to their stomach's 
content, and cleaned up everything eatable that could be found about 
the house. 

On the night of the iSth, I.ieut. Russell, with Company H, was sent 
to the top of tlie mountain near the main road, to guard the signal corps, 
remaining all night. On the morning of the 1 9th they found thai our 
command had passed, and left no orders for their relief. They soon 
started fur the regiment, ha\'ing satisfied themselves that they were left 
alone, and tliough a good many of the enemy's cavalry were between 
them and their regiment, they caught up with the rear guard about 9 
o'clock, and the regiment al)out nocjn. 

Comrade O. P. I'.ower. Company B, Second Virginia, with \\\\\. 
Shirley, was riding in front of column, the night before Salem was 
reached. Shirle\- stopped for a few minutes' rest, P.ower riding ahead, 
and was suddenly confronted by four confederates, and asked where he 
belonged. He replied that he was one of l^arly's men, and parleyed 
with the men until f(nir of the scouts rode up, when Power demanded 
the surrender of the confederates. A fight followed, resulting in the 
death of C:onfederate Captain Chapman, the severe wounding of one 
other, and the capture of Capt. Tomlinson and one man. Power got a 
. splendid horse in the capture. Shortly afterward they captured a wagon 
loaded with hospital stores, with two men and a girl. The latter was 
left at a house until the raid on Salem was over, when she was picked 
up on the retreat and came along with the regiment, going to Martins- 
burg. Afterward she married one of the regiment, a member of Com- 
pany I, it is said, and settled near Pittsburgh. On the retreat, shortly 
after leaving Salem, P.ower, Jos. \Valton, W. \. Wiley and another 
member of Company D, had a lively experience with a party of confed- 
erates, who made an attack on them. Wiley's gun was forced from his 
hands and an attempt made to shoot him, lint ]]ower shot the assailant 
in the shoulder, at the same time calling on his imaginary force to charge 



230 SALEM RAID. 

the confederates, wliicli liad the effect of driving tlieni away, without 
any of our men being hurt. On the night of the 19th Dower was cap- 
tured, and liad on a confederate Major's o\ei"coat, and a cap lliat once be- 
longed to the notorious bushwhacker, P.ill Harper; l)ut in tlie confusion, 
when a confederate charge was ordered on Averell's rear guard, liower 
was forenicist in llie allack, Init was so impetuous that he ne\-er slojjped 
until he got in our lines, his captors firing several shots after him. He 
passed the ambulances just before they were captured. 

S. J. Clendaniel of C'omiiany 1. gives a bit of his exi^erience of the 
trip, in a night's sleep he and comrades got, wlicn the raid was about 
over. They sle]H well, but when morning came, the\' found themselves 
frozen in tlieir blankets. The lattei" liad been soaked b)- the rains, and 
the fearful cold weather froze tliem solid, but within, the men were com- 
fortable, if such a thing were possible. A further ins])Cction shou-ed 
that Clendaniel and his comrades. eii';ht in all. had slej^t on a frog pond. 
It was frozen of course, and they had lain on the ice, with their blankets 
wrapped around them, and slept soundly. liut that was comfort com- 
pared to a part of that awful, liorrible ex])cdition. Hundi-eds of broken 
down constitutions attest to this day its severity. 

.\verell had outwitted the men who attempted his ca])ture, and it was 
a bitter dose for the confederates. The Richmond Examiner of De- 
cember 28th had the following sarcastic article on the failure to capture 
Averell : 

The great Gen. Averell has kl'hc, not "up the spout," but back into his den. Cast 
your eye upon a map, and 111 tell you how he went and how he came. He came 
from New Creek, a depot on the Baltimore anfl Ohio railroad, in the county of Hardy, 
alonfj the western ba.se of the Shenandoah mountains through Covington to Salem, 
burnt things generally and returned over nearly the same route. Imboden seized the 
gap where the Parkersburg turnpike crosses the Shenandoah, and prevented a raid on 
Staunton. Averell left five hundred men to hold Imboden there, and pushed on to- 
ward Salem. That genera! could not pursue without uncovering Staunton — the forcer, 
threatening nearly equaling his own. Gen. Lee was informed of the situation of 
affairs. Here commences the reign of major generals and military science. Maj. 
Gen. Jubal \. Earl}- came. Maj. Gen. Fitzhugh Lee came. Brig. Gen. Walker 
came. Urig. Gen. Thomas came. Their staffs came. They all took a drink. Gen. 
Early took two. Brig. (icn. Wickham came. Col. Chambliss, commanding brigade, 
came. They smiled also. 

When Averell was opposite Staunton, Fitz Lee was at Ivy depot, on the Virginia 
Central railroad, a day's march from that town. A fortunate occurrence, indeed. 
Everybody thought Averell v.as "treed" now. He passed through Brown's Gap and 
struck the valley turnpike at Mount Cr.awford, eight miles above Harrisonburg — a 
miserable mistake. One day's march lost. He then marched toward Harrisonburg 
— then toward Staunton. .Another day gone for no'hing. He finally reached Staun- 
ton, where he ought to have been on the firKt night. Still there was plenty of time to 
cut A\erell off. Lee and Imboden marched day and night to Lexington, and then 
toward Covington. They have yet time enough to intercept. 

Here was committed the fatal and foolish blunder. While Leo and Imboden 
were on the road to Covington, in striking distance of that place, word was sent the 
Yankees are marching towards Buchanan, instead of Covington. No man ought to 



SALEM RAID. 231 

have put credence in a statement so utterly absurd as that the enemy were going from 
Salem to that place. Such a statement presupposes Averell deliberately placing him- 
self past escape, and therefore run raving mad. Such improbable rumors should 
never be entertained a moment, much less made the basis of important military move- 
ments. The order was obeyed. The troops turned and marched back, and at night 
were neither at Buchanan nor Covington. 

The story i.'; told in a few words. The Yankees passed through Covington, and, to 
their great amusement, escaped. The rumor about Buchanan was the tale of some 
frightened fool. The enemy, in terror and demoralization, fled from Salem at full 
speed, destroying their train and artillery. Jackson knocked some in the head ; the 
citizens beat the brains out of others ; one farmer in Allegheny killed six ; some were 
scattered in the mountains, and are being picked up here and there ; the rapid stream 
drowned many, but the main part have gone whence they came, wondering how they 
did get away. It is hardly necessary to add, the humblest private in the ranks, if he 
possessed sense enough to eat and drinlc, not only could, but would, have managed 
better. Old Stonewall would have marched on, caught and killed the Yankees. What 
Lee thought the writer don't know. They who know, say Imboden begged to go to 
Covington. He made it plain to the dullest mind that the Buchanan story was past 
belief. What's done is done. 

No language can tell the suffering of our men. They were in the saddle night and 
day, save a few hours between midnight and day. They were beat up by their officers 
with their swoi'ds — the only means of arousing them — numb and sleepy Some froze 
to death, others were taken from horses senseless. They forded swollen streams, and 
their clothes, stiff frozen, rattled as they rode. It rained in torrents, and froze as it 
fell. In the mountain paths the ice was cut from the roads before they ventured to 
ride over. One horse slipped over the precipice — the rider was leading him — he 
never looked over after him. 

The whole matter is summed up in a coupLo of sentences. Averell was penned up. 
McCausland, Echols and Jackson at one gate, Lee and Imboden at the other. Some 
ass suggested he might escape by jumping down the well and coming out at Japan, 
/. <■. , go to Buchanan. Early orders them to leave a gate open and guard the well. 
He did not jump in. Meanwhile, the Yankees cooly came up the valley, through 
Edenburg, New Market, up to Harrisonburg, within tv.enty-five miles of Staunton — 
" these headquarters." This was bearding the lion in his den. Jubal took the field, 
at the head of Company Q and a party of substitute men, larmers and ploughboys, 
called "home guards." The Yankees got after him and the " major general com- 
manding" lost his hat in the race. The last heard of him he was pursuing the enemy 
with part of his division — footmen and cavalry —v\'ith fine prospects of overtaking 
them somewhere in China, perhaps about the "great wall." The Y''ankees were 
retreating toward the "Devil Hole." Early bound for the same place. They did 
very little damage in the valley. Here is the moral. The marshals under Napoleon's 
eye were invincible — with separate commands, blunderers. A general of division, 
with Gen. Robert E. Lee to plan and put him in the right place, does well. Moseby 
would plan or execute a fight or strategic movement better than Longstreet at Suffolk 
and Ivnoxville, Juba! Early at Staunton. 

The losses of the brigade on the Salem Raid were o killed and 
drowned, 8 wounded, and 122 captured; total 138. Our regiment lost 
I wounded, and 17 cajitured. 

The follo\\'ing is (Jeneial .Vx-erell's thrilling and complete report (;f tliis 
great raid, one of thie most wonderful of the war: 

I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my brigade 
since the date of its arrival at New Crcel<, W Va., November iS; Having been noti- 
fied by the brigadier general commanding the department, that active service would 



232 SALEM RAID. 

be expected of me \ery soon, measures were at once taken to place the command in as 
f;;ood condition as possible, but owin^ to tlie meagre supply of horses, shoes, nails, 
coal, and forges furnished, and the shortness of the time allowed, the mounted forces 
of the brigade were but poorly prepared to make a long march on the Gth of Decem- 
ber, when I received orders to move on the 8th. My orders did not contemplate the 
movement of any co-operative forces excepting a small force under Col. Thoburn, but 
after representing to the department commander the importance of such movcmients, 
and my flesire that they should be made, he kindly invited me to accompan)' him to 
his headquarters at Cumberland and arrange a plan for them. I went with him to 
Cumberland on the evening of the Gth, and drew up a plan which was briefl)', as fol- 
lows, viz: Brigadier Scammon, commanding forces in the Kanawha Valley, to lie at 
Lewisburg on Saturday, December 12; to look out northward and endeavor to inter- 
cept the enemy from that direction; to remain until i8th, taking advantage of any op- 
portunity to strike the enemv in the direction of Union or elsewhere. Col. Moor to 
be at Marlin's Bottom, I-'riday, December 1 1 ; to feel the enemy in the direction of 
Lewisburg on the 12th and 13th; to remain near Frankfort until the i.Sth,and on his 
return to bring off the wounded left after the battle of I^roop Mountain. I^ris,'. Gen. 
Sullivan, commanding forces in the Shenandoah Valley, to be at Woodstock on Fri- 
day, December 11, to make careful demonstrations until the iSth, when he was to 
move toward Staunton, and threaten the same boldly on the 20th and 21st. The com- 
mand of Col. Thoburn was to turn off at Monterey, and moving toward Staunton, 
keep the attention of the eneni}' fixed upon the Tarkersburg pike.' A copy of the 
above plan was given to the dop't commander anrl I received his promise that his 
orders should be given in accordance with it, with the exception of Moor's and Tho- 
burn's commands, which were to receive orders from me. It was thought that be- 
tween the two demonstrations of the Kanawha and Shenandoah forces, I might pass 
the enemy's lines without delay, and that the threatening of Staunton on the 20th 
and 2 1st with the operations in the direction of Union, would divert the enemy from 
offering any great resistance to the return of my fatigued command. 

The Second West Virginia Mounted Infantry, Lieut. Col. Scott; Third West Vir- 
ginia Mounted Infantry, Lieut. Col. Thompson; Eighth West Virginia Mounted Infan- 
try, Col. Oley; Fourteenth Penu-sylvania Cavalry, Lieut. Col. Blakely; Maj. Gibson's 
battalion of cavalry, and Rwing's battery set out from New Creek on the morning of 
the iSth of December, with fair weather, but with many misgivings on account of our 
poor condition to overcome the weary distances and confront the perils incident to 
such an expedition. During the march of two days to Petersburg, constant exertions 
were made to complete the shoeing of the horses, but- lack of means and material 
rendered it impracticable to attain the desired object. At Petersburg, on the loth, 
the command of Col. Thoburn about 700 strong joined mine, and together we pro- 
ceeded southward, arriving nearly at Monterey on the nth. The most of m.y train 
was placed in charge of Col. Thoburn and, on the morning of the i2lh, my com- 
mand and his started in a severe and discouraging rain storm, Thoburn toward Mc- 
Dowell and my command down J Jack Creek. The secluded road which runs along 
and across this now swollen stream, was pursued, the ensuing day without any incident 
worthy of note, until our arrival at Gatewrod'p, where the rear guard of Jackson's 
forces, flying from the advance of Moor, was encountered and dispersed, and four 
wagons destroyed, loaded with ammunition and stores. The storm continued on the 
i^th, and Jackson's river was found hardly fordable. Upon arriving at Callaghan's 
reports reached us that Scammon had advanced and occupied Lewisburg, and that 
the rebel forces, commanded by Gen. Echols, had retired toward Union, under orders 
from Maj. Gen. Sam. Jones. We halted a few hours to rest and feed the animals, 
and to make a false advance in the direction of Covington. At 2 a. m., December 15, 
the column was in motion upon a dark anrl difficult road, wdiich runs up IHmlap 
Creek to the pike, connecting the White with the Sweet Sulphur Springs. We 



SALEM RAID. 233 

i-eached the beautiful valley of the Sweet Sulphur about 10 a. m., and halted two 
hours, availing ourselves of the plentiful forage found there. * * * * 

At the Sweet Springs it was learned that Echols' forces were encamped four miles 
from Union, to the northward, and that Gen. Scammon had retired from Lewisburg. 
The road to New Castle was taken at i p. m., and near the summit of the Sweet 
Springs Mountain a rebel quartermaster met us and was captured, which assured me 
that our advance was unknown as yet to the enemy. From the top of this mountain 
a sublime spectacle was presented to us. Seventy miles to the eastward the peaks of 
Otter reared their summits above the Blue Ridge, and all the space between was 
tilled with a billowing ocean of hills and mountains, while behind us the great AUe- 
ghanies, coming from the north with the grandeur of innumerable tints, swept past 
and faded in the southern horizon. When within twelve miles of New Castle an- 
other halt was made to feed and rest, while a squadron advanced toward Fincastle, 
conveying to the enemy a false impression, and bringing to us some sixty horses and 
some prisoners. . New Castle was passed during the night and efforts were made to 
reach Salem by daylight in the morning. A party of rebels, under Captain Chap- 
man, rcconnoitered our advance during the night, and all were captured except their 
leader, who, declining to surrender, v.-as killed. The head of my column was pre- 
ceded by vigilant scouts, armed with repeating rifles, mounted upon fleet horses, 
who permitted no one to go ahead of them. 

We approached Salem unheralded, and the whistling of locomotives could be heard 
from that point long before it was reached by us. Four miles from Salem, a party of 
rebels from the town in quest of information concerning the Yankees, met us. From 
some of these it was learned that the division of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, had left 
Charlottesville on the 14th to intercept my command, and that a train loaded with 
troops was momentarily expected at Salem to guard the stores at that point. I has- 
tened with my advance, consisting of about 350 men and two 3-inch guns, through 
the town to the depot. The telegraph wires were first cut — the operator was not to 
be found, the railroad track torn up in the vicinity of the depot, one gun placed in 
battery and the advance dismounted and placed in readiness for the expected train of 
troops. An inspection and estimate of the stores contained in the depot and two 
large buildings adjacent were made, and upon a subsequent comparison of notes taken, 
found to be as follows: 2,000 barrels of flour, 10,000 bushels of wheat, 100,000 
bushels of shelled corn, 50,000 bushels of oats, 2,000 barrels of meat, several cords of 
leather, i,ooo sacks of salt, 31 boxes of clothing, 20 bales of cotton, a large amount 
ot harness, shoes, saddles, equipments, tools, oil, tar, and various other stores and 
100 wagons. A train from Lynchburg, loaded with troops, soon approached. My 
main body was not yet in sight, and it was necessary to stop the train; a shot was 
fired at it from one of the guns, which missed; a second went through the train dia- 
gonally, which caused it to retire, and a third and last shot hastened its movements. 
My main body arrived, and parties were sent four miles to the eastward and twelve 
miles to the westvy-ard to destroy the road. The depots with their contents were 
burned; three cars standing upon the track, the water-station, turn-table and a large 
pile of bridge timber and repairing material destroyed. Five bridges were burned 
and the track torn up and destroyed as much as possible in six hours. The " yanks" 
with which we had provided ourselves, proved too weak to twist the U rails, and 
efforts were made to bend them, by heating the centers, with but partial success. A 
few small store houses, containing leather and other valuable articles were destroyed 
in the vicinity. The telegraph wires were cut, coiled and burned for over half a 
mile. Private property was untouched by my command and the citizens received us 
with politeness. 

It was intimated to some inquisitive ones that we were going back by Buchanan, 
but about 4 p. M. my command quitted the work of destruction and returned upon the 
P 



234 SALEM RA in. 

road it came some seven miles, when it halted for the night. The last eighty miles 
had been marched in about thirty hours. Little sleep had been enjoyed by my men 
during five days and nights; it was necessary to pause and collect our energies for the 
return. During the night of the if)lh it rained heavily and also the ensuing day and 
night. My column was caught in the many windings of Craig's Creek, which was now- 
swollen to a dangerous torrent, which uprooted trees and carried them away. IIca\y 
caissons were swept down the stream, and great exertion and skill were required to 
save them. In the river and in the rain forty-^ght hours, it was impracticable to 
keep our ammunition dry, and my command, drenched, muddy and hungry arrived at 
New Castle about sun-down on the i<Slh, in a miserable condition to make the march 
before us. Information that Fitzhugh Lee was at Fincastle reached me at New- 
Castle, and that Jones was between me and Sweet Springs. At 9 v. m. while a false 
advance was made toward Fincastle, my column took the road to Sweet Springs. 
We soon encountered and drove the enemy's pickets about twelve miles, to the junc- 
tion of the road with the Fincastle pike, to the Sweet Springs. The command haltefl 
and built camp fires. 

The condition of my ammunition made it prudent for me to avoid a fight. It was 
evident from a survey of the enemy's positions, that I could not get to the Sweet 
Springs without a contest, and that with Lee only a few miles to my right and i-ear. 
Two ways were left, both difficult and obscure; one to the southwest leading around 
Jones' right, through Monroe and Greenbrier counties; the other, northeast to the 
Covington and Fincastle pike, which I took, as it was the most direct and dangerous, 
consequently the safest if I could only make the march. We left our camp iircs 
burning and went forward in the darkest and coldest night we had yet experienced. 
Thirty miles through the forest and frost, brought us to Fincastle pike about noon of 
the igth. It was yet fifteen miles to the bridge. The river was reported unfordable 
on account of the depth of the water and the obstructions formed by the ice. I had 
carefully calculated the possible marches of the enemy, and felt certain that we could 
make the march through the points they deemed most secure, but no halt could be 
made. When eight miles from the river a force of 300 mounted rebels opposed our 
advance. As soon as they were broken, they were closely pursued at a gallop to the 
first bridge, five miles below Covington, and thence to the bridge at Covington, both 
of which were saved from destruction, although faggots had been piled upon them 
ready to burn. The head of my column reached the first bridge about 9 p. m. and 
three officers and six orderlies were sent back to keep it closed up 

The approach to the river is through a gorge which opens to the stream a mile be- 
low the first bridge. There the pike from Covington passes along the right bank to 
Clifton Forge and Jackson's River Depot, where Jackson was supposed to be w-ith 
about 1,000 men. I sent a company upon the road to Clifton Forge, w^ith oi'ders todis- 
mountand move out three-fourths of a mile and hold the road until the column passed 
A captured dispatch from Maj. Gen. Sam. Jones to Maj. Gen. Eirly, at Millborough, 
confirmed my opinion with regard to the position of the enemy, and gave me the in- 
formation that Gen. Early's division had been added to the forces opposed to my re- 
turn. The dispatch is as follows: 

On Top of the Sweet Springs Mountain, Dec. 19, 1863 — 7 a. m. 

General : The enemy drove the pickets about twelve miles from here, near Mrs. 
Scott's, in the direction of New Castle, about 2 o'clock this morning. Gen. Echols has 
a strong position here and I think can effectually block this way to them. To avoid 
him, I think it probable that the enemy may attempt to escape by Covington or by 
Clifton Forge. Col. Jackson's troops are at Clifton Forge. I would suggest, instead 
of keeping any force at the Warm Springs you would place it at Morris Hill and 
picket at Callaghan's. I presume that you are in communication with Col. Jackson, 
and he may be able to give you information of the enemy's movements. I expect to 
ascertain the enemy's movements in the course of the morning If he attempts to 



SALEM RAID. 235 

avoid Echols here and escape by Callaghan's we can reach Callaghan's before he can. 
Echols will hold the place here until he ascertains the enemy's movements. It is 
possible that they will attempt to pass Echols' right by Gap Mills, by passing one of 
the many gorges in these mountains to the south of this position between Echols and 
McCausland, who is at Newport, in Giles county. If he does that, he will pass out 
by the western portion of Monroe and Greenbrier ; if he does so, you cannot touch 
him. Under all the circumstances of the case, as I see them now, I think that you 
should have a force at Morris Hill and a strong picket at Callaghan's. The enemy 
were certainly at New Castle at sun down yesterday. They cannot pass Echols here. 
They may escape by Clifton Forge or by Covington if you do not prevent them. 
Echols will give you all the aid that he can. We are closer to the enemy than you 
are and will be more likely to know their movements. I will endeavor to keep you 
informed. A portion of our small mounted force has been directed if the enemy 
attempts to pass from New Castle direct to Covington, or by Clifton Forge, to fall 
back in front of them so as to give Col. Jackson and you the earliest information. 
The operator at Jackson's River will use every effort to get the above to Gen. Early 
and a copy to Gen. Jackson. Col. Jackson must have a copy of it. 

Sam Jones, Maj. Gen. 
I relied somewhat upon the demonstration which was to be made against Staunton 
on the next day. I also thought that Gen. Scammon might divert the force under 
Echols from interfering with mine. In both these trusts I was at fault. From all the 
information I have been able to collect, I believe the Kanawha force retired frcm 
Lewisburg on the 13th without waiting until the i8th, as prearranged, and without 
making an effort in the direction of Union. The detachment sent from the command 
of Gen. Sullivan was too feeble to make the threat upon Staunton of sufficient avail to 
keep Early from liesctting my command upon its return. Instead of approaching 
Staunton on the 20th and 21st, it was retiring through New Market on the 20th. The 
dispositions of the rebels had been prompt and skillful ; Rosser's brigade had crossed 
the Rappahannock at Fredericksburg on the 14th, made some demonstrations upon 
the Orange and Alexandria railroad near Bull Run ; thence passed the Blue Ridge 
through Ashby's Gap ; were stopped by the high water in the Shenandoah, and 
moved up by Front Royal to cut off the detachment from Harper's Ferry. The divi- 
sion of Early left Hanover Junction on the 15th ; arrived at Staunton the same night ; 
marched to Buffalo Gap the ensuing day and thence to the Warm Springs and Mill- 
borough. Fitzhugh Lee's division, leaving Charlottesville on the 14th, came into the 
valley, where it was deceived by Thoburn's presence and diverted by the detachment 
from Sullivan's command, for a day or two, when it set out for Buchanan. 

At Jackson's River, though trusting in the co-operation of the Kanawha and Shen- 
andoah forces, I acted as though they would be of no assistance to me, which was, 
indeed, the case. My column, nearly four miles loflg, was hastened across the first 
bridge. When all had passed but my ambulances, a few wagons and a regiment in 
the rear, an attack was made by Jackson's force. The company on the Clifton Forge 
road was driven away ; three ambulances were captured and an effort was made to 
take the bridge, which was unsuccessful. A night attack is always appalling even to 
experienced troops. Unavailing efforts were made to open communication with the 
regiment cut off, until morning, when it appeared that the enemy was determined to 
maintain his position upon the high cliffs which overlooked the bridge. During the 
night the balance of my command had been concentrated upon Callaghan's, and an 
efficient defen.se established upon all the roads approaching that point. Finding it 
impossible to dislodge the enemy as long as the bridges remained, I directed them to 
be destroyed. The enemy at once left the cliffs and endeavored to reach the flank 
and rear of the I'egiment which remained on that side. Orders were sent to the regi- 
ment to swim the river or come to me over the mountain, around the bend; and after 
destroying the train, it swam the river with the loss of four men drowned. When 



236 SALEM RAID. 

nearly across, a formal demand from Gen. Early was received by iho oflicers com- 
manding the rear guard to surrender, addressed to the commanding officer of the 
United States forces. As my column was then in motion over the Alleghanies, no 
formal reply was returned to the demand. 

During the night attack five officers and 119 men were lost by being captured. It 
was thought that had the regiment in rear been advanced steadily forward, these cap- 
tures might have been mostly prevented, and we should not have been obliged to 
destroy our wagons and ambulances the following day. The road over the AUeghe- 
nies led us to Antony's Creek, between the White Sulphur Springs and Huntersville. 
A foixe of the enemy was reported at Gatewood's, which is twelve miles cast of Hunt- 
ersville. My command was yet thirty miles from that point. If I could cross the 
Greenbrier and reach Marlin's Bottom before the enemy, my command would be 
safe. By a very obscure road the Greenbrier was reached and crossed on the 21st, 
opposite Hillsboro, and we encamped for the night at the northern base of Droop 
Mountain. My scouts thrown out kept me informed of the enemy's movements and 
positions. 

For thirty hours after my command left Callaghan's, the enemy made great efforts 
to intercept my force, but they generally took wrong roads. The citizens who knew 
the country best regarded our capture as unavoidable. It was expected, as may be 
seen from the orders given Col. Moor by me, that he would remain near Droop Moun- 
tain until the i8th, but owing to orders he received from the general commanding the 
department, subsequent to the reception of mine, he also retired on the 14th, thus 
leaving no co-operative forces except Col. Thoburn's, in the positions I had reason to 
expect them to be on the 20th and 21st. Unaided, with a weary command of 2,500 
men, I had marched through a difficult country in wliich not less than 12,000 rebels 
were maneuvered to effect my capture. 

On the way to Edray, my rear guard experienced some trifling attacks on the 22d. 
The road thence to Beverly was a glacier, which was traversed with great difficulty 
and peril. The artillery was drawn almost entirely by dismounted men during the 
23d and 24th. Couriers had been sent forward to Beverly to bring out subsistence 
and forage, which we succeeded, after extreme hardships, in meeting on the 24th. 
The officers and men undertook all that was required of them and endured all the 
sufferings from fatigue, hunger and cold with extraordinary fortitude, even with 
cheerfulness. The march of 400 miles, which was concluded at Beverly, was the 
most difficult I have ever seen performed. The endurance of the men and horses was 
taxed to the utmost, yet there was no rest for them. Believing that some retaliatory 
operations would be at once inaugurated by the enemy, I telegraphed to the general 
commanding the department that I thought it advisable to get my command into the 
valley as soon as possible, and set out for Webster, whence, by means of the railroad, 
I arrived at Martinsburg just in- time to confront the enemy, who was advancing to- 
ward this place. - '•" '••" * ""■ '••' -' '■■ "■•■ '•■ "'■' ■"■ 
There is nothing oi vahie or interest in the official report of Maj. (len. 
Sam Jones, who commanded the confederates, and it is omitted from 
this work. 

The command left ]>everly on December 27th, in a hea\y rain, and on 
the 28th reached AA'ebster. From there they went to Martinsburg, Va. 
The trij) to Martinsburg was a very severe one, the cold being intense, 
so much so that bread froze in the box cars in which the men were 
transported. It will never be forgotten by those who participated in it. 
Upon reaching Martinsburg, our regiment went into camj) without tents 
or covering of any kind, and suffered severely. Fuel was scarce, and 
there was really no condition of comfort. 



SALEM RAID. 237 

(icneral Order No. 39, War Department, dated January 26, 1S64, was 
issued, cliangini,^ the Second Virginia Infantry to the Fifth West Virginia 
Cavalry, by which designation it was known until mustered out of the 
service. The regiment remained at Martinsburg until March 19, 1864, 
with a vast amount of picket duty and scouting. One of the most 
])leasant incidents of the stay here was the visit of Gen. Milroy to the 
brigade on January 31, three regiments of which were formerly in his 
brigade. A happier meeting was seldom seen in the service. He made 
a speech full of the old fire, and very flattering to the boys. 

At noon, March 19, 1864, the brigade left Martinsburg, went into 
Maryland, thence back into Virginia, and marched to Charleston, West 
Va., arriving there April 30, 1864. 



CHAPTKR XVII. 

CAMPAIGNS OF 1864. 

HI'^ Department of West Virginia was under the conunaml of 
Maj. Gen. Franz Sigel in the s])ring of 1864, who was in the 
Shenandoah Valley in personal coninuuul of the troops there, 
while Gen. George Crook was in command of a large ]jart of the forces, 
in the Kanawha valley. Gen. Averell's brigade, excei)t Caj)!. Ewing's 
battery, went early in the spring to the Kanawha to operate with Gen. 
Crook, while the battery remained with Gen. Sigel. Gen. Grant 
directed the advance of these two columns, C'rook to break the Virginia 
and Tennessee railroad at the New River bridge, while Sigel was to dis- 
tract attention from (]rook, by menacing the Virginia Central railroad 
at Staunton. 

We have first to notice the Shenandoah campaign. On May 9th Gen. 
Sigel's forces moved up the valley pike to Cedar Creek, thence through 
Strasburg to Woodstock, the cavalry advancing to Mount Jackson. 
Col. Moor advanced to the same place with his infantry on the 14th, 
and there the cavalry reported the enemy to be iu force at New Market. 
Moor advanced still further, when the roar of the artillery announced 
the presence of the enemy. The confederate force thus met was the 
advance of Gen. Breckenridge, who marched rapidly from Staunton to 
oppose him, with a force of nearly 5,000 men. Moor had four regi- 
ments of infantry, besides cavalry and artillery, of which Gen. Stahel 
assumed command the next morning. The union forces were scattered 
along the pike and were not prepared for battle, but it was upon them. 
Sigel came to the front, and had in line the j 8th Connecticut and 123d 
Ohio Infantry and a small body of cavalry, under Col. Moor in the ad- 
vance, to break the enemy's onset. The main line was under the per- 
sonal direction of Gen. Sigel, consisting of the 34th Massachusetts, ist 
Virginia, 54th Pennsylvania and a few companies of the 12th Virginia, 
the artillery being carefully disposed, and the cavalry was behind the 
center of the left flank. 



SHENANDOAH VALLEY. 239 

r,rcckenri(lge inovcd to the attack with the veteran brigades of Echols 
and Wharton, a l)attalion of cadets and other local forces, with cavalry 
and artillery. Iheckenridge soon drove Moor in confusion, and 
promptly attackeil Thoburn's brigade and was checked. Imboden's 
cavalry with artillery charged Sigel's left flank, which, with Krecken- 
ridge in front, caused our whole force to retreat, bringing up at Cedar 
Creek. 

r.attery C had a prominent part in the expedition, being connected 
with some cavalry under Col. Wyncoop. On the 14th one section of 
the battery with the cavalry, was ordered up the valley, meeting the 
enemy before reaching Mount Jackson. The confederates fell back 
across the river, and were vigorously shelled by the battery, continuing 
the retreat. Then Col. Wyncoop ordered a charge, the battery to keep 
on the pike, and the cavalry t(j be deployed right and left, after crossing 
the river. The bugler sounded forward, and away went the charging 
forces, the enemy hastily getting out of the way. The chase was con- 
tinued for three miles beyond New Market, and then our forces fell back 
to New Market. In the meantime the rest of the army was brought up, 
the rest of the battery also coming u]), and went into camp for the 
night. It was a stormy night, the rain falling in torrents, but not so 
hard that the battery boys forgot their cunning; for a good chicken 
breakfast, of the fattest and choicest poultry from the Dunkard settle- 
ment near, attested their foraging qualities. The horses were not un- 
hitched, (H- their saddles taken off, being ready for a sudden attack. 
The next day the battle was fought, the battery being in position on the 
left and had to wait until our troops got past, before they could do 
much. As our right ami centre were driven back. Col. Wyncoop was 
like a caged lion, as his orders prevented him from doing anything, but 
his time came. The bugle sounded forward, and the cavalry and 
battery came out on the pike. Just as they crossed it, the battery un- 
limbered and opened fire with canister, keeping it up for about 10 min- 
utes, when they had to fall back, and the battle was over. Alex. Mc- 
Kinzie, of the battery, was killed, and Jerry Leadom had an eye shot 
out, and was sent to the rear. Sergt. Evans lost his hat, and when he 
Ijicked it off the ground, found the top gone. It might have been the 
top of his head. One of their guns was disabled in this fight. 

Gen. David Hunter was appointed to the command in the valley, 
relieving C.en. Sigel, taking charge of the army May 21. On the 26th 
he broke camp at Cedar creek, and marched to New Market, where he 
remained until June i, having with him Sigel's troops, reinforced until 
they amounted to 8,500 of all arms; including 21 guns, the infantry be- 
ing commanded by Gen. Sullivan, and the cavalry by Gen. Stahel. 
From New Market Gen. Hunter proceeded to Harrisonburg, and June 2d 
found Imboden posted on the pike about seven miles ahead, whom he 
avoided by moving on a side road to Port Republic, a large supply 



240 CA.^fPAIGXS rH64. 

train being overhauled and partly captured by the cavalry. On the 
morning of the 5th he advanced toward Staunton, and found that the 
enemy, commanded by Gen. W. E. Jones, had taken pcjsition at Pied- 
mont, to resist the union march. This place is on a road about seven 
miles southwest of Port Republic, which forks to Staunton and ^V'aynes- 
boro. Stahel's Cavalry soon drove in the pickets of the enemy, when 
the main line advanced in front of the Piedmont line, with Moor's bri- 
gade on the right and Thoburn's on the left, with \Vyncoo])'s brigade of 
cavalry in rear of Moor. Then followed an artillery fire of two hours, 
the good work of our batteries causing the enemy to slacken their fire. 
Moor's brigade then attacked the confederate left, advancing across the 
open and driving them through the woods to the main works; but being una- 
ble to carry the works, he fell back a short distance. The enemy then 
attempted to crush Hunter's right, but was effectually checked by Moor, 
aided by the batteries, among which were the section of Pjattery G, anil 
Carlin's Battery of the same regiment. First AVest Va. Light Artillery. 
While Jones was concentrating for this attack, Thoburn moved across a 
ravine to gain the enemy's right flank. He gallantly charged on the woods 
and heights, Moor and AVyncoop co-operating, and the enemy aban- 
doned his position, a part of his men rushing over the steep bank into 
the river which covered his left. Over 1,000 of the enemy, including 
60 officers, were captured on the field, and among the killed was the 
confederate commander. The next day others were captured, making the 
total number of prisoners about 1,5 00, to which must be added the killed 
and stragglers. Three guns and many small arms fell into the hands 
of Hunter, whose loss was about 420. Gen. Hunter then marched on 
to Staunton, being the first union troops to enter the city, and here was 
joined by Gen. Crook's and Averell's forces from the Kanawha, fresh 
from the victory of Cloyd IMountain. 

At the beginning of Hunter's campaign, Ewing's battery was pretty 
badly used up, and being short of horses, it was ordered that all of the 
battery but one section should be relieved. It was the only mounted 
battery in the command, and it was required that at least part of it 
should stay. The best horses and guns were picked out, and Lieut S. 
J. Shearer was put in command of the section. Being a part of Wyn- 
coop's brigade, they were in the advance until they reached Staunton. 
On approaching Piedmont they skirmished all the time until they reached 
the river, where the battle was fought. It became their duty to ascer- 
tain the position of the enemy, so they unlimbcred in the wheat field, 
and threw a shell about where they thought the enemy ought to be, 
and the response was one that made the valley fairly ring, killing four of 
Shearer's horses and wounding several. Sergeant Evans' horse was hit 
three times, showing the heavy fire, but fortunately none of the men 
were hurt. They then fell back and waited until the rest of the artillery 
came up, when they took another position, the other batteries forming 



CLOYD MOUNTAIN. 241 

on their right and left. The battle then opened in full earnest, and 
presently this section limbered up anil went with Wyncoop to the right. 
But when they reached the river they found they could not cross 
it, so they returned and took a position in front of the rail 
breastworks, which the enemy had built, the section being on the right 
hand side of the road next to the river, and remained there until the 
battle was over. The execution that was done here was fearful. Be- 
hind these rude and frail breastworks, the enemy lay all around, many 
with pieces of rails driven in them in almost all shapes, and the rails on 
fire. Some were torn horribly, showing the worst features of the horrors 
of war. It was the worst sight seen during the war by many, if not all, 
of the troops present. After the battle was well under way. Sergeant 
Evans was ordered by General Hunter to take charge of and send up all 
the ammunition needed for the batteries. It was a new duty to the 
sergeant, and he had considerable difficulty with the ordnance officers, 
but performed his work with entire satisfaction to the authorities. That 
was a habit battery G had, however, and never fell short of their full 
duty. 

The section went with the command to Staunton, and from there was 
sent back to Wheeling by the way of Cheat Mountain, Beverly and 
Webster, and were mustered out of the service, their term of enlistment 
having expired. 

CLOYD MOUNTAIN. 

On May i, 1864, the command of Gen. Averell, consisting of three 
brigades, left Charleston, West Va., for an expedition southward. The 
Fifth West Virginia Cavalry was in the brigade commanded by Col. Oley. 
Nothing of interest occurred until the 4th, when our pickets were attacked 
and two of them captured, and our men took three prisoners. On the 
fifth the command marched twenty-five miles, crossing a high mountain, 
camping at Wyoming Court House. The next day, after a very fatiguing 
march of thirty miles, over rocks, roots and creeks, in single file, the 
troops camped for the night, and the next day went to Princeton Court 
House. On the 8th we left Princeton, passed the confederate forts to- 
ward Wytheville, over mountains and through ravines, until within nine 
miles of Dublin station, where we met Gen. Crook's division of infantry, 
and camped on New River. In the morning Sergt. W. F. Graebe, of 
Company C, was in charge of the picket force, and in a few minutes 
after being placed, the enemy appeared on the road and hillside, when 
our men emptied their guns and struck out for camp, leaving the ser- 
geant to meet the confederates alone,but he was relieved by Capt.Grubb, 
who came in time to prevent his capture. 

In the early part of the campaign, Capt. Thomas E. Day's Company 
E were sent out on a scouting expedition, remaining two or three days 
without encountering any of the enemy's forces. On the way back to 
camp, J. W. Stooebreaker and M. E, Moore were riding in the advance, 



242 CAMPAIGNS 1S64. 

wlien they discovered a confederate soUlier ahead of thetn, to whom 
tliey gave chase. A riiiiiiini; fire was kept u|), tlie chased trooper firint; 
at his pursuers until liis revolver was emptied except one barrel. 'Hiis 
he held back for close quarters. Others of the company had joineil in 
the chase, and the fleetest horses soon gained the front, until James A. 
Robinson and M. L. Lohmire galloped up to the confederate, one on 
each side, and demanded his surrender. He aimed his last shot at 
I,ohmire, who knocketl the revolver upwards, and the man was a pris- 
oner. He declared that he would never enter a union prison, and he 
made good his word, escaping a few nights afterward. 

Gen. Crook's forces, of which Col. Oley's brigade of cavalry, about 
400 strong, formed a part, found the enemy posted in force, several 
thousand strong, at Cloyd Mountain, under the command of Gen's. W. E. 
Jones and Jenkins. They were entrenched on a wooded spur behind 
rail breasworks, with their guns so placed as to sweep a broad field that 
fronted the works, while a knee deep brook wound around the foot of 
the steep slope crowned by the rifle pits. "The enemy is in force and 
in strong position," said Crook, lowering his field glass; "he may whip 
us, but I guess not." 

Forming under cover of the thick timber, Gen. Crook sent Col. 
AVhite, with his own brigade and two regiments of Sickels' brigade, to 
turn the enemy's right, and the moment they were engaged moved the 
rest of his forces directly against the works. The advancing colutun was 
received with a hot fire as the men struggled across the open space, but 
after a severe fight they carried the intrenchments at all points. Crook's 
loss was 600, while that of the enemy was fully as heavy, if not greater. 
Our regiment was covering the rear and guarding the wagon train the 
morning of this engagement. When the main body under command of 
Gen. Crook struck the enemy's fortification on Cloyd Mountain, we 
were a mile or two in the rear. As soon as the first gun was fired, a de- 
tachment from each company amounting in all to about 100 men, was 
placed under command of Major Barclay and galloped forward to the 
scene of action. We found the rebels posted in a splendid position on 
the mountain, well fortified and commanding the valley about six miles 
from Dublin Depot, on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. Our in- 
fantry were just deploying through the woods to the right and left to the 
road. Two pieces of our artillery came forward and took up a position 
on a little ridge to the right of the road, and our detachment was ordered 
to dismount and support these guns; this we did by advancing some dis- 
tance in front of the battery on lower ground, and there lay down ex- 
posed to the fire from the enemy's cannon, our own battery firing over 
our heads. The enemy had some large guns, twenty-four pound how- 
itzers, and they tried hard to dismount or disable our little battery, but 
in vain. For one hour, while our flanking forces were getting into posi- 
tion, we lay there exposed to the rain of shot and shell and unable to 



CLOYD MOUNTAIN. 243 

employ the time by even firing a gun, and all we could do was to dodge the 
heavy shot and shell as they fell amongst us. It was as all old soldiers 
will admit, the most trying position in which troops could be placed. 
Then an hour seemed like half a day to us. At last our flankers qrrived 
within range of the rebels lying behind the breastworks, and the troops in 
front ascended the hill and t!ie fight became hot and furious. About 
noon our men carried the breastworks by storm, capturing the battery 
of twenty-four pounders and a large number of prisoners. As soon, as 
our men reached the breastworks, we were mounted and ordered to 
charge the fleeing rebels; this we did with alacrity, and for awhile we 
kept them on the dead run capturing all who fell behind. Discovering 
however that we had no sabres, and were only mounted infantry, a large 
body of the rebels rushed into the woods alongside the road, and poured 
a heavy volley into us, wounding our chaplain, Rev.J.W. W.Bolton, who 
was charging with us, and a number of men, among others Hiram Qualk 
of Company I, who was shot through the breast. Of course we could 
not get at them on horseback, so we dismounted, and one-fourth of the 
detachment holding the horses, the rest rushed on foot into the 
woods and soon dislodged the enemy. We kept up the pursuit, driving 
them up hill and tlown valley for a mile or two, until we 
were overtaken by the remainder of the regiment mounted, and led 
by our gallant quartermaster, A. J. Pentecost, who, waving aloft a sword 
that he had picked up in crossing the battle field, went dashing past us. 
An open wood stretched across the valley in their front, and into it they 
rode yelling like demons. They had hardly disappeared from our sight 
in the woods when a terrible rattle of small arms opened up, and back 
they came, or some of them, and many riderless horses along with them. 
Close behind came 2,000 exultant rebels on a charge. It seems that 
2,000 fresh troops, rushed by rail from Kentucky, had arrived at Dublin 
depot too late to take part in the battle on the mountain, but were 
thrown forward to check pursuit if possible. Our mounted men had 
run into them and received a withering fire, compelling an immediate 
change of front. We all fell back some distance until our supports 
came in view, when we faced about, and, with the help of the infantry 
drove the reinforcements whirling through Dublin depot, captur- 
ing several immense store-houses, containing several thousand 
stand of arms, large quantities of ammunition, bacon, tobacco, etc. 
Over 300 wagons, a number of caissons and quartermaster's stores of all 
kinds also fell into our hands. The next day, after burning all of them 
we could not carry away, we advanced along the railroad to the large 
bridge that spanned New river, where we found the rebels had made a 
stand, determined to save the bridge. They had some heavy artillery 
there, and for two hours we had a lively artillery duel, but we finally 
charged them and they fled before we were fairly within musket range 
of them, and the bridge was ours, and along with it two more siege 



2 44 CAMPAIGNS 1864. 

guns. I'hey were too lieavy to transport, so we blew theui u]), l)urne(l 
the bridge and started on our return trip North. 

After the battle of Cloyd Mountain, when our trooi)s had reached 
Dublin depot, heavy guards were thrown out to protect the lines from 
the enemy, whose forces had been greatly scattered. Sergt. John ('aton, 
of Company E, and nine of his company, were posted to the extreme 
right, with orders to watch for straggling confederates. They stood 
guard all night, and as no relief came, in the morning the sergeant sent 
one of the men into camp to ascertain the reason. He soon returned 
with the information that the command was gone, when the sergeant and 
his squad double quicked to the dejjot. Just as they arrived there the 
magazine exploded, when the bursting shells created a noise and confu- 
sion that would have been amusing had it not been so dangerous. The 
citizens, blacks, and the guard, got out of the place as hastily as possible, 
and fortunately no one was hurt. Before leaving the place the troops 
had fired the magazine, and in their hurry, no doubt, had overlooked 
the guard and left it in its exposed position. Ascertaining the direction 
in which the troops had gone, the squad followed and overtook them 
four or five miles out, after traveling over the railroad track, which was 
made hot by the tires built along it to destroy the rails. It was a hot 
walk and a trying occasion for the belated men. A somewhat similar 
experience happened some of the same men a little later. A band of 
confederates who had charge of some wagons filled with old muskets, 
and had two six-pound guns, were attacked by our forces, when tlicy 
hastily decamped, leaving their wagons and guns. The union Iroojis 
piled the muskets on heaps of rails and set fire to the latter, and when 
the old muskets got warmed up they opened a regular fusilade, bullets 
flying in every direction, causing the few troops near them to stampede. 
It was one of the biggest scares of the entire trip, and a regiment of con- 
federates couldn't have done as good service in routing the Yankee boys. 

On the loth we left Dublin station for New river bridge at Newbern. 
Our troops attacked the enemy on the heights and carried their position 
by a charge, capturing 100 prisoners and three siege guns, our loss being 
small. We marched about fourteen miles and camped on the bank of 
the river. Our troops burned a very large railroad bridge, destroyed 
culverts, etc., and the enemy burned the pike bridge, our men crossing 
the river on pontoons. On the iith we crossed New river, marching 
twelve miles, and the next day marched about twenty miles to Salt I?ond 
Mountain. This day the enemy tried to cut off our wagon train at New- 
port, but were repulsed with heavy loss. On the 13th we left this place 
and camj)ed at night on the western slojje of Peter's Mountain. One 
regiment of the enemy followed our rear guard, and we burned about 
forty wagons and 700 guns which we had captured. At the foot of 
Peter's Mountain we captured thirty-four wagons and two twenty-four 
pound guns from Gen. Jackson^ who retreated at the mere sight of our 



CLOYD MOUNTAIN. 245 

advance guard. The next day we took the road to Lewisburg, the Fifth 
being in the advance of Crook's division. We passed through Salt 
Sulphur Springs, and drove the enemy out of the town of Union, where 
we camped, the Greenbrier river being too high to cross. On the i6th the 
division followed the road to Meadow IMuffs, where we went to cross the 
river. All the cavalry and dismounted men under Averell were here 
drawn up in line of battle, the enem\- ha\'ing occupied the town, who 
were under the command of Jackson and McCausland. The horses 
were kept saddled all night, and the command remained under arms all 
of the next day but no conflict took place. 

The mountains were full of bushwhackers, who made it decidedl)' 
uncomfortable for our pickets and scouts. May iSth the command 
marched toward Lewisburg, our regiment as rear guard, arriving at 
Meadow Bluffs the next day, where they went into camp. The Fifth 
and Seventh West Virginia Cavalry were ordered toward Cauley river, 
and left for there the next day. They crossed the Little and Big Se- 
well mountains on the Charleston road, arriving at Loo]) creek on the 
22d where they went into camp. On the 37th, all the men except the 
veterans and recruits, of Companies A, B, C, I), and 1%, of our regiment, 
went to Charleston to be mustered out, their term of enlistment having 
expired, while Companies F, H, I, and K, with all the veterans and re- 
cruits, under Lieut. Col. Scott, went in the direction of Lewisburg, 
where they arrived on the 29th. Merc the cavalry under Averell, and 
the infantry under Crook, were united. June 3d the combined forces 
left Lewisburg and marched in the direction of Staunton. At Warm 
Springs, June 5th, a number of our men in advance of the column were 
killed or wounded. The next day the command crossed Cow Pasture 
river, along a brancli of the Central \'irginia railroad. They jiassed 
through a very deep mountain gap, \v here the enemy were protected by 
fortifications. Cen. Crook drove them out, and the advance destroyed 
a very long and fine railroad bridge. On the 8th the forces reached 
Staunton and joined the command of Cen. David Hunter, in his expedi- 
tion to Lynchburg, taking ])art in that memorable and unfortunate ad- 
vance, and shared in the losses and hardshij^s of the retreat. 

On the trip, after the Cloyd Mountain fight, M. E. Moore, of Com- 
pany E, was captured and taken to Staunton, where he had charge of 
thirteen of our soldiers wounded at Piedmont, and witnessed the pass- 
ing of both armies through the j^lace. Was started on the way to An- 
dersonville, but had some boils on his arm, which he carefidly band- 
aged, and put his arm in a sling, and was sent to City Point for ex- 
change along with the other sick. The boys had reached perfection in 
foraging. Some colored folks met the line at the New river, when ^^'ill. 
Latta, of Company I, hailed one, asking where they had put that meat 
that they hid. The poor darkey denied any knowledge of contraband 
pork, when Latta threatened destruction to him if he did not tell, and 



2 46 CAMPAIGNS 1864. 

then the colored contingent came down, and led the hoys to a hiding 
place, where the\- secured se\'cnty-two pieces of meat. Latta's chance 
shot produced good results. C"or]). Steve. Ward was then sent with a 
detail to look for some cattle, but came back with a quantity of the 
finest liam in the state. ■ Lieut. J. 15. Montgomery was sent out with a 
squad of his men to hunt for horses, and came to a field where there 
was a fine assortment of just the animals he needed. He dismounted 
his men. who went after the horses, wlien the Johnnies raised a fuss 
about it, and Montgomery's horse holders became frightened and started 
for the command, compelling him and men to walk several miles before 
they caught up with their own horses. 

During the retreat of Gen. Hunter, the battalion left of our regiment 
had a jolly time. On the second day out, Sergt. Steinaker of Company 
D, went out with a foraging ])arty to seek something for the battalion to 
eat. After securing what they wanted, they started to return to the 
command, and after dark entered what they supposed to be their camp. 
Not recognizing the surroundings, D. O. Carpenter of Conq)any I, went 
to a soldier and asked what regiment it was in camp, when he was tokl 
that it was the Ninth (Georgia. Greatly surprised, he went to the Ser- 
geant and told him they were in a confederate cam]), which he could not 
credit. They then went to another squad and made the inquiry, and 
were informed that it was a part of the Twelfth South Carolina. There 
were 15 of our boys, with a colored guide, and they started at once to 
get out of their bad scrape. Carpenter led the way, and they soon 
reached the Salem pike, when putting spurs to their horses, they galloped 
past the ])ickets, calling out to them as they passed, 'T.ook out f(^r us, 
we may be back here in a hurry." ]5ut they made no attempt of that 
kind, only too glad to reach our own lines, which they did in safety 
about midnight, saving all their forage. 

The remaining companies of our old regiment, whose term of service 
had now expired, were sent back to Grafton by the way of McDowell 
and Beverly, to be mustered out. The\' had in charge r,ioo prisoners, 
captured on the expeditions to Staunton, who were turned o\er to the 
authorities. The reenlisted men, about 200 in number, were consoli- 
dated with the remnant of the Sixth West \'irginia Cavalry in SeiUendier 
1864, all taking that name. In Marcli 1S65 they were ordered to AWash- 
ington, and were engaged in provost duty until June 16, when the)' re- 
ceived orders with other troo])s, to proceed to Louisville Kentucky. 
From there they went to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, then across the 
plains to Colorado, thence to Dakotah. There they were frequently en- 
gaged with the Indians, and were highly cc^mjjlimented for their gal- 
lantry. Many of the men served nearly five years of service. 
c;ovERN()R pierpont's opinion of the regiment. 

The Historian has recei\ed the following letter from Governor Pier- 
pont, which we place here as a fitting conclusion of the history of the 



CLOYD MOUNTAIN. 247 

regiment. No man in Western Virginia knew more about the regiment 
than he, and he is a capable judge of its merits as a command. After a 
few words of introduction, he says : 

Some that came to Wheeling were mere boys. Major Oakes, the mustering officer, 
a very judicious man, told me that some of the boys ought to be home with their 
mothers, but they persevered, and those boys came out veterans. It was the first 
regiment I had mustered in, the three months regiments being formed before I be- 
came governor. Those that came from Pennsylvania were in citizens' light clothing, 
and there was a great deal of hardship and destitution until clothing was issued to 
them, which was some time after their muster in. 

There was one pleasing feature of the troops from the two states, Ohio and Penn- 
sylvania, that was their perfect assimilation in spirit and purpose. The Pennsylva- 
nians seemed to feel that they were with the Virginians to defend the Virginia 
homes from invasion, and partook of all the enthusiasm of the Virginians in the fight. 
And I have always suspected that when it came to the soldiers voting on the new state 
constitution that they voted, but I never knew. But this is certain that whenever I heard 
of a fight where the Second Virginia or Fifth Cavalry, after they became mounted, was, 
I heard a good report of them. They were reported brave to recklessness some- 
times. It was said of them that whenever they got in a close place, every man was a 
general, and that they were almost invincible. They certainly achieved some victories 
that seemed in the beginning almost hopeless. It is strange how soon men will become 
allied in a common cause, and the alliance seems to become a part of their nature. 
I frequently meet old soldiers after they have met some of those Pennsylvania com- 
rades, and they say it is wonderful what an interest these old Pennsylvania soldiers 
of the Second West Virginia take in everything about West Virginia. 
I am yours with great respect, 

F. H. PlERPONT. 



CHAPTER X\II1, 



SCOUTING SF.UViCK. 




SE OF the most important and cffecti\e, yet dangerous, ])arts 
of the service in Western \Mrginia, was that of scouting, the 
nature of the warfare being such that skilled men in that line of 
duty was an absolute necessity. The demand was speedily met, and 
throughout the war, there were few that e(iualled, and none excelled, the 
brave men who took their lives in their hands, and so faithfully ])er~ 
formed their work, in the mountains in which we served. In the grand 
record thus made, the men from our regiment were easily at the head. 
and no braver, nobler, truer men ever ser\-ed their countiy. and none 
ever braved death more cheerfully for the sake of right. 

The nature of the ser\'icc was necessaril\- hazardous, severe anrl ex- 
hausting, testing the courage of the bravest. They were reepiired most 
of the time to be dressed in confederate uniforms, thus exposed to all 
the risks and dangers of si)ies, and were expected to be read\- to go at 
any hour, day or night, when tlie commander of the forces ordered. 
Sometimes the order came to go in jjairs to visit hostile camps, learn all 
they could of their number and location, and run the risk of being shot 
as spies. Being dressed as confederates, the\- would pass as good south- 
ern men, and many a letter was given them by motlicrs and daughters to 
carry to Lee's command, from wliich the\' fretjucntly obtained ver}' valu- 
able information ; yet in the \'er\- midst of the enemy's country they 
would often meet strong, faithful union men and women, to whom the 
general sent them for information. They kcjit the scouts posted in 
regard to all movements of the enemy, and were valuable aids to the 
union cause and true friends to the scouts. Iluntersville, Franklin, 
Monterey and other points between the lines, were the places to wliich 
the scouts were frequently sent, and it was no uncommon thing to make 
long trips through the mountains, reipiiring tlie greatest care, and when 
near the jdace desired to be reached, a caution was needed that exerted 
to the utmost the ingenuit\' and care of the bra\e men. lender cover of 



SCOUTING SERVICE. 249 

night, when possible, or, at times, in broad daylight, they would slip 
through the picket lines of the enemy, conceal themselves on the moun- 
tain side or in the dense laurel bushes, and there watch the camp, count 
their tents, and note all points of information of the enemy's movements. 
Then they would, as quietly as they came, steal back through the picket 
lines, and if no accident overtook them, they generally made the trip in 
three or four days; but it was nothing uncommon to meet resistance and 
have a brisk fight with the confederates. It was a brave and superior 
force, however, that could stand before them, as they were superbly 
armed and knew well how to use their arms. 

The central figure in the scouts belonging to our own command, was 
C. W. D. Smitley of Company B, Second Virginia, who was the leader 
and chief during the entire service. One of the scouts under his com- 
mand says of him, in a note to the author, that "he was a brave, cool, 
daring man, one in every way fitted for the position he was given; who 
was loved and respected by all his men and all that knew him, and a 
gentleman in the true sense of the word." The scouts that operated with 
him before Gen. Averell assumed charge of the brigade, were Sergt. A. 
B. Hammer and J. W. Willhide of Company B, Second Virginia, J. 
Paul Jones Fifty-fifth Ohio, and others, and the following civilians, 
names familiar to the men of our brigade and regiment : John Dove, 
Abe Hinkle, George Sexton, Lee Farnum and Dr. Scott Harter, brave, 
loyal, efficient scouts, worthy of all praise and honor for their service. 
These w^ere the men who held the dangerous position of scouts, until 
Gen. Averell came to us, and whatever service was done in the period 
before that time by our scouts, the credit belongs to them. 

Soon after taking command of the Fourth Separate Brigade, Gen. 
Averell called for a body of scouts, the following men being appointed 
from our regiment: C. *W. D. Smitley, J. W. Willhide, Alexander 
Watts, Marshall Bailey, Nelinza L. Lock, Company B; Timothy Sharer, 
M. (L Markins, William Shirley, Company H; Robert Gaddis, Company 
K; nine in all. \\\ addition to these there were Geo. W. Mooney and 
Jack Saylor, from the Third Virginia, and others from the Tenth Vir- 
ginia Infantry, First Virginia Cavalry and Fourteenth Pennsylvania 
Cavalry, but whose names are not known, many of them being remem- 
bered only by their nicknames. All of them, of whatever regiment, 
were brave, noble, true men. Comrade Smitley says of his own regi- 
mental associates in particular, that they were "kind, considerate, 
obedient and reliable; and braver, truer, more loyal men never lived. 
I never knew one of them to flinch from duty, or give me an unkind 
word." He always speaks in the highest terms of all his associates, in 
this dangerous work. 

C. W. D. Smitley was born June 6, 1S38, in Cumberland, Md., 
moved to Bedford, Pa., when two years old, thence to Stoystown and 
Johnstown, Pa., and at the age of 21 settled with his father at Boothville, 
Q 



2SO SCOUTING SERVICE. 

Marion county, West Va., where he was livinijat the breaking; out of the 
rebellion. He and his fathei- both Noted ai;ainst the ordinance of seces- 
sion of their State. He attempted to raise a company for (he union 
service in Marion count)', but the sentiment was so hostile in the localit\- 
that he was compelled to desist, and he went to (".rafton and joined 
Capt. ]>atham's Comjiany 1). At the time of enlistin;.;, Mr. Smitley 
was a millwright. One of his brothers, Iv 1*\ Smitle}-, served as one of 
his scouts while with (len. Averell, and afterwards, with a younger 
brother, Robert V. Smitley, volunteered in ("apt. Donehoo's company 
of the Si.xth West Virginia Cavalry. They were both taken prisoners at 
New Creek, West Va., in the fall of 1S64, and were so reduced by star- 
vation and sickness on Belle Island, that tliey died immediately after 
getting home. Mr. Smitley made many a \aluable ca]iture during Ids 
long and eventful service of four and a-half years, but lie sa\s the best 
capture he ever made was a good Methodist woman at Boolhville, No- 
vember, 1863 — his faithful wife. In August, 1861, being on the return 
from a scout with A. V>. Hammer, near Beverly, he was thrown from his 
horse, one foot remaining fast in the stirrup. The horse dragged him 
several rods, tramping on his left side, and broke loose from him. break- 
ing two of his ribs. Late in October, 1861, being on a scout with A. B. 
Hammer, he was compelled to swim a swollen, rapid mountain stream, 
called Roaring Creek, to esca])e cajjture b\- the enem\-. Not being 
entirely recovered from the injury to his left side, cold and exl)o^.ure 
caused him to have typlmid fever. The company at the time was 
stationed at Bealington, and there being no hos])ital near, ("n]it. Latham 
sent him in an ambulance to his father's house in lioothville. In May, 
1863, while acting guide for a battalion of the iMftli AVest Virginia Cav- 
alry, Maj. McNally commanding, near I''raid<lin. he was (ired on b\ 
bushwhackers, receiving a wound in his left fore arm and Itfl cla\ icle. 
On their return to cam]), Mrs. Laura J. Arnold had him taken to her 
house and took care of him until our forces were (lri\-eu out ot r.e\eil\ 
by the enemy. On the nth of May. i86.:^, Scout "Siiike" Harris, i'lrst 
Virginia Cavalry, was shot through the heart, and Smitle\ was taken 
prisoner near Wardenville. In October, \'^U.\, he was taken unconscious 
to College Hospital, Columbia, S. C, and had a long spell of fever. 
About December, 1S64, he was removed to Asylum ju-ison. and lacking 
proper clothing, shelter and food, was much exposed to the cold, caus- 
ing him to have rheumatism, which has become chronic, and lor twenty- 
six years has been a sufferer from it. He (Inally escaped and joined 
Sherman just as he was entering C^olumbia, S. C He is now Using at 
Burlington, Ohio, in the enjoyment of the respect and confidence of all 
that know him, surrounded by his family of ten children, seven boys 
and three girls. 

John W. Willhide was born Hecendjer 16, 1839, in Frederick ccnnity, 
Md. His grandfather came from Cermau) in the year 1778. His 



SCOUTING SERVICE. 251 

father, William Willliide. was born in eastern Maryland, and was mar- 
ried to Harriet Darcy. Tlie union was blessed with seven children, six 
boys and one girl. He moved to Western Virginia in the year 1856, where 
he resided until his death. He was a cari)enter by trade. John W. 
still remained in Maryland, where he learned the wagon making trade, 
and in the year 1859 he went to Webster, Western Va., where he started 
a wagon shop. He had but fairly got started, when the excitement over 
secession aroused the peoi)le. Then the call for troops followed, and 
Mr. A\'illhide was among the first to cast his lot with the friends of the 
union, joining Company ]]. He served out his term of three years 
faithfully, most of tlie time being in the secret service, and while in this 
service was wounded in the left hip, the full circumstances of which are 
given in one of the expeditions, in this article. At the close of his ser- 
vice he returned to Webster, autl started a wagon shop, which he has 
followed ever since. In ihe year 1870 he married (\iroline Adams, their 
union being blessed with three children, two boys and one girl. He has 
been elected Justice of the I'eace in his town for the last twelve years. 
He is a mendjcr of the M. Iv Church, having been connected with that 
society for 24 years. .\ brave soldier and a true citi/.en. 

Robert Caddis is of Irish birth and parentage, having come to this 
country with his i)arents before he was nine years of age. tiis early 
life was jjasscd like that of other country lads, and nothing eventful oc- 
curred ill his life until just before the secession movement began to take 
form. He left home before Christmas, i860, and found his way to 
Parkersburg, AV. Va., where he was when companies began to form to 
suppress the rebellion. He was naturally of a bold, reckless disposition, 
and found congenial work in the excitement of the time, becoming a 
member of Company K, of which he was appointed a corporal. He 
was a brave soldier, a true son of his native country, and as true, noble, 
and loyal one of his adopted country. He now lives at Newbern, Ind., 
an honored citizen. 

Marshall Bailey was born in Taylor county, Va. March 10, 1843, his 
father being engaged in farming. In the summer he worked on the 
farm and attended school during the winter. He read history a great 
deal and became so interested in the early struggles of his country, and 
so imbued with the military spirit, that he actiuired a strong desire to be 
a soldier. The opportunity came with the breaking out of the rebellion, 
and lie became a member of Company B, at the early age of 18. He 
served faithfully during his term of three years, was one of the most 
active of the scouts, and received his discharge in the summer of 1864, 
retiring with credit and a most honorable record. He attended school 
during 1865 and 1866, and engaged in teaching, following that calling 
until he was married, March 30, 1868. He then returned to the farm, 
and has since been engaged in that occupation. He has two sons and 
one daughter. In 1878 he removed to a farm in Harrison county, where 



252 SCOUTING SERVICE. 

he is an honored citizen, attending to all the duties of civil life as faith- 
fully as he did those of military life. 

Moses Golden Markins, of Company H, was born in P.rown county, 
Ohio, and before enlisting was a farmer. His tragic tleath is related in 
one of the scouting expeditions. He was a noble hearted man, fearless 
and tried, and his death was a great grief to his comratles. He left a 
wife and four children. 

Timothy Sharer, of Company H, was a brave, loyal, intelligent scout, 
who never failed in the trying hour of duty. He was killed in a hand to 
hand encounter with Mosby's men, the odds ten to one against him, 
near Bunker Hill, in the summer of 1S64, as related by Lee Farnum, the 
celebrated scout, who was an eye witness of the affair. 

Nelinza L. Lock, Company B, a true soldier, loyal to the heart, was 
a daring and faithful scout, one that could be trusted in any emergency. 
While in swift pursuit of a confederate cavalryman on the Droop 
Mountain expedition, when almost in reach of the man, his horse fell 
among some rocks, causing a dangerous wound in his head, from which 
he died at his father's home in VVebster, W. Va., January 5, 1865, aged 
24 years and 7 months. He was an upright young man, liked and re- 
spected by all. He is interred in the National Cemetery at Grafton, 
W. Va. 

William Shirley, a boy of 19 when he enlisted, entered the service at 
Ironton, O., with Company H. He was detailed as one of Smitley's 
scouts, and served his country as a true soldier, meeting the demands 
of duty whenever the call came. 

Alex. Watts, a brave Western Virginian, enlisted in Company B, and 
was a true, good man and brave soldier. 

It is not possible in a work like this, giving the history of an entire 
regiment, to give in full, or in detail, sufficient to show the great service 
of these scouts. It would require a volume of itself, and a very large 
one, to do that; but in order to give some fair idea of the perils, hard- 
ships and dangers encountered by our scouts, a few of their adventures 
are given in the succeeding pages. 

After the battle at McDowell, in May, 1S62, between Gen. Milroy's 
brigade and Stonewall Jackson's force, and we had joined Gen. Fre- 
mont at Franklin, Smitley was sent out to watch Jackson's movements. 
Fremont's "Jessie Scouts" believed that the enemy were menacing our 
front with a view of again attacking us. Smitley left alone and went as 
far back as McDowell, and then went to within nine miles of Staunton 
where he learned that Jackson had gone down the Shenandoah Valley. 
He joined some confederate scouts, passed himself off as a Western Vir- 
ginia refugee, went down the valley to Willow Springs, where he left the 
scouts and returned up the valley, retraced his steps to Monterey, then 
to Franklin, reporting his observations to Gen. Fremont, by which time 
Jackson had attacked Gen. Banks. It was while returning from this 



SCOUTING SERVICE. 253 

scout that Sniitley had one of his most lively adventures. When he 
arrived at Monterey, early in the morning, and very much worn out, he 
called on Mrs. James Whitelaw, a true friend of the union, for some- 
thing to eat, and to rest for an hour. He was told that the confederate 
cavalry were expected every moment. After eating a hearty meal, her 
negro boy, by the name of Henry Madison, was set to watch for the 
coming of the enemy, while Smitley took a needed rest. He had barely 
closed his eyes when the boy came running up stairs shouting, "Massa, 
de rebs is comin'.'' Looking out of the window toward the court house 
he could see the Staunton pike, one-fourth mile from town, and sure 
enough there came a company of cavalry. A boy ran out of town and 
met them, and their yell and the speed of their horses, convinced him 
that he was reported. Picking up his revolver and leaving his breech- 
loader in the room, he ran out through the garden and stable and 
crawled along a little hog path, under some thick, small laurel, within a 
few rods of the stable, and before he had scarcely time to get under 
this rather insecure cover, the cavalry were all around him. Every 
moment Smitley thought their horses would tramp on him, but 
he hugged the ground closer than he ever did before in his 
life. The thick laurel proved a safe refuge, and in a few hours 
the search ceased. In the afternoon he heard a negro boy sing- 
ing near him. It proved to be Mrs. Whitelaw's boy, who had watched 
him hide, and he came close to where the scout lay, arid told him as he 
passed, to lie still until midnight, and passed on without stopping. 
About I T o'clock that night, Mrs. Whitelaw and the negro boy came to 
him, and brought him something to eat, and the rifle which he had left 
in the room. They walked a few hundred yards further from town, and 
sitting down on a log, Mrs. Whitelaw told him that the cavalry had gone 
towards Franklin, leaving a small squad as picket, on the Beverly pike 
near town. It was a bright starlight night, but no moon. In a few 
minutes Smitley noticed a boy pass near them into a ravine, running up 
towards the mountain. Smitley got behind him and followed as swiftly 
as he could, coming within a few steps of the boy before he heard him, 
and as he turned, Smitley's revolver was full in his face, and he was 
compelled to throw up his hands and march to the scout. He had 
seen the boy frequently before, whose name was Fleming, and about 14 
years old. He knew Smitley's occupation, and the latter charged him 
with reporting him to the cavalry, which he did not deny. Mrs. White- 
law fearing the boy would be killed, begged that his life be spared, 
though she knew it might cost her her life for harboring a spy. She freely 
staked her life on the boy's word of honor that he would not betray her, 
and he never did. After guiding Smitley safely around the pickets, he 
was released on his honor, and the scout reached his camp in safety. 
About the loth of June, Smitley was sent out to observe the move- 
ments of the enemy, taking with him John Dove. In flanking the 



254 SCOUTING SERVICE. 

enemy, and while going through a little cove in llie mountain, in the 
direction ol ami about twenty miles from r.iock's (lap, they slopped lor 
dinner; but before they had the ])leasure of dining, they came near last 
ing of rations not nearly so palatable. A notorious bushwhacker by tlie 
name of Wilson, with a number of his men, burst unceremoniously into 
the house. Wilson advanced to within a \'ard of where Smitle\' sat, 
placed his double barreled sh.ot gun against his breast, both Ijarrels 
cocked, and with the most terrible oaths, informed Smitlex tluit he was 
a Yankee spy, and that he intended to blow his heart out. The fellow's 
eyes glared like a tiger's, and his countenance was that of an arch 
demon, while he shrieked in his anger and hate. Smitley looked him 
cabnly but firndy in the eye, with a cynical smile on his face, till the 
fellow's eyes dropped, when in a fearless, firm tone he shouted, '-Coward, 
base villainous coward"; and then pointing to his insignia of rank, 
denoting that he was a confederate officer, assured the cowed wretcli in 
a calm manner, that they were nothing but what they represented them 
selves to be. The man was somewhat chagrined, as Smitle)- threatened 
him with punishment for his threats. They all then sat down together 
and partook of a very good dinner, after widch the valiant bushwhacker 
showed the scouts a near way to brock's Ca]), accompanying them sev- 
eral miles. 

After escaping from Wilson, Smitley and Dove went by way of Frank- 
lin, thence to Circleville, and from there about six miles further up the 
river, where Dove's brother lived, who was a miller. When tliey entered 
the house they found (jne of ('apt. IClsie's '-Dixie Hoys," who seemeil 
much frightened, and in a few minutes left and went to some of his 
comrades at the mill, a short distance from the house. Dove and his 
brother not having seen each other for several years, entered into con- 
versation, during which they were brought to a realizing sense of their 
danger, by a noise outside, and upon examination saw that they were 
surrounded. Smitley called to the --Johnnies" that they need not be 
afraid of them, as they were only two, and inviteil them in, assuring 
them they wouldn't be hurt. This bit of levity put them in a good 
humor, and they accepted the invitation. Smitley undertook to con- 
vince the visitors that they were Jackson's scouts, but they were suspi- 
cious, when Smitley asked them if they were not Capt. l-:isie's -'Dixie 
Boys." They said they were, when the scout asked them to take him 
to the captain, and he would convince them that he was all right. To 
Smitley's disgust and disappointment, they took him at his word, and 
immediately started to camp. The two scouts v^'ere both mounted, and 
were permitted to retain their arms, though closely guarded on both 
sides. Toward dusk they nearcd Capt. Elsie's camp, Smitley all the 
while studying how to avoid meeting the captain. On the way they had 
to cross a creek, and the guards were required to go over a foot log, 
while the scouts rode through the stream on horseback. AVhen the 



SCOUTING SERVICE. 255 

guards were all on the log, and were in ])0()r situation to handle them- 
selves, Smitley and Dove i)Ut si)urs to their horses and made a dash 
down the stream. As quickly as possible the guards turned their guns 
upon the scouts and ilred, one of the bullets striking Dove, who fell from 
his horse. He had sat upright on his horse and made a good mark, 
while Smitley leaned to the side of his horse away from the guards, and 
thus escaped, but his horse was struck, though not disabled, and on he 
went at a rapid rate down the stream. The guards followed, firing as 
they went, but doing no damage. As he neared Capt. Elsie's camp, on 
a narj-ow piece of road between the creek and the mountain, he leaped 
from his horse, ilropping one of his revohers, and clambered up the 
hillside. Soon the guards had his horse and revolver, and were plan- 
ning for his capture, but by this time it was (piite dark, and he kept on 
to the summit of the mountain, and there spent the night, keeping out of 
range of the enemy. At daylight he observed that he was but a few 
niiles from where he had his exciting experience with the "Dixie Boys." 
He then started for Petersburg, and probably about 9 o'clock in the 
morning came to an open place in the woods on the ridge, and thinking 
there might be a path across there, he stopped and listened. Hearing 
nothing he started to walk rapidly across the ojien space, and was about 
half way when a noise attracted his attention, and looking down toward 
t he river, saw at first a woman on horseback ascending by a mountain 
path, and close behind her followed six of the "Dixie Boys," some of 
tliem the very ones from whom he had escaped. It was raining (juite 
hard by this time, and they trudged along with their guns shouldered, 
hunter fashit^i, their slouch hats drijjping with wet. At the sight of the 
woman he stopped suddenly and stood like a statue, eyeing the little 
jirocession, holding his re\'olver, intending to fire as soon as discovered. 
The path which the}' were following made a circuitous course around 
where Smitle\' was standing, and was not more than 50 or 60 feet frou) 
him. He was caught wholly unawares, and was amazed, and as well 
frightened, but eyed the men closely, exi)ecting every moment that some 
one of them would look in his direction and discover him. I'ut from 
the depressing influence of the rain, and the long toilsome night racing 
after Smitley, they all passed by without noticing him, though he was a 
prominent object standing in the open sjjace. He hurried out of the 
open space and into the woods, antl ])roccede(l as well as he could on 
his way to Petersburg. When in the neighborhood of the Harman 
settlement, he met a deserter from the confederate army, by the name 
of Martin Bennett, who persuaded him tf) stop at his mother's house, 
and said he would accompan}- Smitley to Petersburg. They reached 
the house at dusk, and had been there but a few minutes when a little 
child rushed into the house saying, "The rebs are riding down the 
road." They ran out from the back of the house and hid in a field of 
grain, and lay there until the visitors left. They searched the house but 



256 SCOUTING SERVICE. 

gave it up after ;i while and left. When they were gcine, the fugitives 
returned to the house, ate their su|)])er and started on their journey. 
They followed the river, avoiding the road as much as possible, and 
stopped at the Carr settlement all night. The next morning they safely 
reached Petersburg, where the scout re])ortefl to the general by tele- 
graph. 

After reporting from Petersburg, and while awaiting orders from the 
general, Col. S. W. Downey, commanding the post, tendered Smitley his 
valuable private horse, an iron grey of great speed and powers of en- 
durance, and requested him to scour the country between Petersburg, 
Brock's Gap and Moorefield, and ascertain the movements of tlie enem)-. 
He left Petersburg in company with Q. M. Sergt. J. Paul Jones, Fifty-fifth 
Ohio, and rode in the direction of P)rock's Gap, falling in with some of 
the enemy's cavalry, learning their intention to surround and capture our 
telegraph station and commissary stores, at the ford of the river below 
Moorefield, which was guarded by a part of two companies of Col. 
Downey's regiment, the Third Maryland Infantry. Smitley and Jones 
excused themselves to get something to eat, promising to join the cavalry 
at Moorefield. As soon as they were out of sight, they rode rapidly to 
the ford, intending to report to Col. Downey by telegraph. The opera- 
tor told them that communication was cut off with both Petersburg and 
New Creek. Smitley then went to the lieutenant commanding the post, 
apprised him of his danger, and advised him to move into the woods, 
and when the confederates had the empty camp surrounded, give them a 
dose of the kind of medicine they gave us — bushwhacking. He replied 
with an oath that he knew his own business, and the scouts returned to 
the telegraph ofiice, a tent on the river bank, where they got a substan- 
tial supper. Hitching the horses convenient for speedy use, Smitley 
went to sleep, resting until near morning, when hearing a commotion in 
camp, he sprang to his feet. A messenger from the lieutenant com- 
manding met him, saying that a flag of truce had come in with the in- 
formation that they were surrounded by Col. Harnass' cavalry, demand- 
ing immediate surrender, and wanting to know what the scout thought 
about it. Smitley mounted his horse, told the messenger to tell the 
lieutenant he knew his own business, and, with Jones, rode ])art round 
the enemy's lines, near enough for them to see the grey clothes and 
mistake the scouts for their own men. Finding a weak place in their 
ranks on the road to Mr. Van Meter's, Smitley and Jones made a dash 
for liberty, and had passed several rods beyond their lines, before they 
took in the situation. A few of them pursued, but soon gave it up, after 
firing several shots, which the scouts esca])ed by lying flat on their sad- 
dles. The horses being saddled all night, the girths were quite loose, 
and Jones' saddle turned and was lost while the horses were at full speed. 
He was com])elled to ride fifteen miles bare-back, a great hardship to 
him, as he was a large, tlesliy man. Smitle}' and Jones were the only 



SCOUTING SERVICE. 257 

ones that escaped. Sniitley left Jones at New Creek, turned Col. Dow- 
ney's horse over to the quartermaster, and started for Front Royal, arriv- 
ing early on the third morning after leaving New Creek, and reported to 
Gen. R. C. Schenck. 

Miss Belle Boyd, who later acquired considerable notoriety as a south- 
ern spy, was at Front Royal on parole. I^eing suspected of violating 
her jDarole, one of Gen. Schenck's aids requested Smitley to see if he 
could entrap her. He went to one of the prominent southern citizens 
of the village under an assumed name, and representing himself to be a 
jiaroled confederate officer, secured boarding. The host was exceeding- 
ly hospitable and communicative, informing him that Miss Boyd was in 
town. Smitley affected surprise and eulogized her valuable services to 
the southern cause. He soon learned that Miss Boyd was the sensation 
of the village, that the intensely loyal confederates idolized her, and 
that she had a large following of Federal oflicers, who were ready to do 
her homage. Smitley's advent to the inside circles of the village, and his 
expressed admiration of Miss Boyd's exploits as a spy, were carried to 
her by his host's daughter, and the same afternoon he received an in- 
vitation through the daughter, to take tea with the fair scout, at one of 
the southern residences. He went, was introduced, and found her to 
be a lady of culture, a brilliant conversationalist, expert with the piano 
and rather pretty. In the course of the evening, a number of young 
ladies called, accompanied by Federal officers, and Miss Boyd appeared 
to be the centre of attraction. Toward the officers Smitley assumed a 
lofty, patronizing air, but with the ladies was exceedingly bashful and 
diffident. When the doxology of the occasion, "The Bonny Blue 
Flag," was being sung and played by Miss Boyd, he stepped forward 
and sang the bass, with all the feeling and power of his strong voice, 
though his heart burned within him to sing " Down with the Traitors 
and up with the Stars." This effort settled his social status with the 
confederates, and thereafter he was one of the "charmed circle." He 
stayed in the village several days as I>ion No. 2, and secured Miss 
Boyd's confidence to such an extent, that she informed him boastingly 
of the manner in which she was violating her parole, and urged him not 
to consider a parole binding to the much hated Yankees. About the 
third evening of his stay, at an evening party, a federal officer in the 
secret of Smitley's identity, to whom Miss Boyd turned a cold shoulder, 
became so incensed at her marked attention to the scout, that he taunt- 
ingly told her that Smitley was a Yankee scout. She scornfully resented 
the accusation against his loyalty, but a night's reflection on the situa- 
tion brought her early in the morning to Smitley, greatly agitated and 
shedding tears like a child. Her informant was the staff officer who re- 
quested Smitley to entrap her. 

While Pope's army was in camp near Culpepper Court House, Va., 
the Shenandoah valley now being left open to the confederate army 

R 



258 SCO UTING SER J 'TCK. 

from Staunton to Winchester, C. \\'. 1). Smitley and John \\'. W'illhide 
were sent out as scouts, to watch any movements of the enemy in the 
valley. They were furnished with paroles, as though confederate soldiers, 
and permitted to go home to await exchange. At a little town about 18 
miles southeast of A\'inchester, there were stationed some four or five 
companies in command of a colonel, where they received some valuable 
information. They found no trouble here, but got into serious difficulty 
near Strasburg, where the scouts were recognized as feeing with the 
union army when it passed through there but a short time before. The 
alarm was given, and a chase began for Winchester, where union troops 
were stationed. Willhide's horse was failing fast from the long chase, 
but he saved himself by changing horses with a little negro boy, who 
was going to the mill. Quite a number of shots were exchanged during 
the chase. They finally succeeded in getting within our lines. They 
remained in the valley several days, and receiving news of the battle of 
Cedar Mountain, and the subsequent falling back of our army from the 
Rapidan, they started for Staunton, thence by way of the Staunton and 
Fairmount pike for Beverly. On the way they were expecting to come 
on the rebel pickets, and at one place, (it was dark, just before day- 
light), they stoi)ped to rest at the roadside, ^^'illhide sat on a dark 
object which proved to be a rotten log, in which was a lively yellow- 
jacket's nest. In a moment W'illhide was attacked by the ferocious in- 
sects, and being stung severely, he jumped and yelled. That moment 
there was a blaze of muskets in that direction, for indeed they were right 
on the rebel pickets, but in the darkness the scouts were able to escape. 
Otherwise they found no difficulty until they reached Crab Bottom, 
where they found about a regiment of confederates in cam]), and lay 
there within 500 yards of the camp from before daylight until 2 v. y,. 
After securing all the information thev could, they left the pike and took 
to the mountains for a distance of about 20 miles. After leaving the 
pike they met several confederate foraging parties who supjiosed the 
scouts were in the same business. .Striking the jjike again at (ireenbrier 
river, near Camp ]}aldwin, a measure of safety was felt, but they had not 
gone far up Cheat Mountain until they found that there were some confed- 
erate soldiers in their front, and not far ahead of lhe:n. Tliere being no 
other way to get across the mountains, they decided to take their chances 
and go ahead. Passing up the mountain a short distance, there were indi- 
cations that others had joined the sokliers, and that the force was full}' 100 
men. Some distance ahead of this, the scouts discovered the men, who 
were cooking their suppers in the road where there was a short bend, ha\ing 
their guns stacked. Riding slowly until near the part)', a stir was made, 
among them to get their guns, and the scouts made a dash right through tiie 
party. Many of the confederates had to get out of the way hurriedly to 
avoid being run over, and tlie others failed to get their guns until the 
scouts passed them, but in a moment, almost, the bullets began to fi\ 



SCOUTING SERVICE. . 259 

thick and fast, and kept pourinL; into the retreating scouts until they 
got out of range, (Uic striking Willhide, passing through his hip, and 
another hitting his horse in the neck, but the horse was not hurt much, 
and couhl still travel. The continuous fast riding and the loss of blood 
made A\'illhide very weak, but they did not dare stop, and rapidly rode 
to tlie summit of tlie mountain. Mere Smitley dismounted and dipped 
u]) water in his hat for AVillhide to drink, as he could not dismount. 
They then went to the White house at Cheat Mountain pass, and Smitley 
left Willhide here and went ahead to make some arrangements to get his 
comrade to Beverly. At the pass they met three men who had been 
nortli for some pur])ose, and were then going home, who took Willhide 
in the house and cared for him until the next day about 12 o'clock. It 
was here learned that the confederates were Capt. Marshall's company, 
which was raised in the Beverly valley. During this time, Smitley was 
trying to get to Beverly, and had great difficulty with the pickets, who 
at first refused to let him through the line or take him to Beverly; and 
orders were given that if they were fired on that night, to kill him. 
Smitley knowing that the confederates were on the road coming that 
way, was very uneasy, as he knew that they might be fired on at any 
time. The night ]iassed without an attack, and the next morning he 
was taken to Beverly, where he was known by Col. Harris, who was in 
command. That officer sent some cavalry out after Willhide, who 
brought him in, it being twenty-four hours from the time he was shot 
until his wounds were dressed. He was taken to Mrs. Jonathan Arnold's 
residence, and this noble union and Christian woman nursed and cared 
for him like a mother. To her Willhide, as well as the others of his 
regiment, owes a debt of gratitude that can never be paid. 

About the time of Gen. Milroy's last trip to Beverly, Smitley and 
George Sexton were sent to Crab Bottom to learn the truth about a re- 
port that the confederate government was herding a large lot of cattle 
there. On returning they met, near Franklin, Capt. C. T. Ewing, of the 
Second Virginia, with his company, equipped as mounted infantry, ac- 
companied by the brave and efficient scout, Abe Hinkle, on their way to 
destroy the saltpetre works of the enemy, two miles south of Franklin. 
The captain asked the two to join him for a short time, which they did. 
Smitley had learned that there was a small squad of confederates loiter- 
ing about Gen. Boggs', in Franklin, all of whom knew Smitley. He told 
the captain of the facts, and asked him for some men whom he would 
lead by a short and unfrequented road in the rear of Gen. Boggs' house 
and capture the squad. The captain did not think it prudent to divide 
his men, so Smitley and Sexton concluded to go alone. Capt. Ewing 
was to come in on the north side of the town, on the main road, as rap- 
idly as he could, while the two scouts were to secure a position in a deep 
gulch on the west side of town, immediately in the rear of Boggs' resi- 
dence, on the route by which they supposed the confederates would try 



26o SCOUTING SERl'ICR. 

to escape. They rode swiftly in order to gel in position before ("apt. 
Ewing would enter the town. AV'hen within a hundred yards of the gulch, 
being on higher ground than the town, they saw Ewing within a few 
hundred yards of town, horses at full speed, and women, children and 
negroes running in every direction over town. The scouts dashed into 
the gulch, about 150 yards in the rear of Boggs', where a small outbuild- 
ing and large barn concealed from their view the enemy, until almost 
in the midst of them. Both discoveretl them almost at the same instant, 
their horses at full gallop, Smitley being under cover of the buildings, 
while Sexton, in the excitement of the occasion, rode right among them, 
when he tried to convince them that he was one of their scouts. They 
were too sharp for that, having recognized Smitley at first glance, and 
would have fired instantly but for the commotion in town and this dash 
in the rear. Smitley, though he felt personally safe until Ewing should 
come, knew that unless something was done instantly they would kill 
Sexton. He dismounted, and, leading his horse, walked right into the 
group, addressed 15oggs, son of the general, and informed him that they 
were surrounded, and that there would be less danger in surrendering to 
two men than to a regiment. With a terrible oath he sprang toward 
Smitley and, placing his revolver against his temple, demanded to know 
which way our forces were coming. While trembling with affected fear, 
Smitley stuttered and stammered, but could not speak, but pointed in 
the direction they had come. They started, with the scouts as i)risoners, 
to reach the timber, but before they reached the river they were met 
and surrounded by Capt. Ewing's men and all were captured. The re- 
turn to our lines was afterward effected in safety. 

In October, 1S63, Gen. Averell wanted a scouting party to go to 
Monterey valley, to ascertain about what force the enemy had there, and 
if they were making preparations to move. Chief Smitley detailed 
John W. Willhide, Robert Gaddis, Moses G. Markins and John Sail- 
yards for the work. There was a union force imder Capt. Powell, of 
about 100 men, on picket 12 miles from Ijeverly, at the base of Cheat 
Mountain, and the general gave the scouts an order on Capt. Powell, to 
escort them over the moimtains. On the opposite side of Cheat Moun- 
tain stood the remains of an old house, commonly known as the "Gum 
house," a dangerous place for the lonely scout, and a few miles beyond 
it, at Green Bank, was a confederate camp, and they always aimed to 
waylay any scouting parties that came along, and close their service for 
all time, hence the escort. All went well until the escort turned home- 
ward. Marshall and Waumsley's guerillas observed them pass into the 
little Greenbrier Valley, and prepared an ambush for their return. Be- 
tween the Gum House and Cheat river, near what the old Second knew as 
the Deadening, they felled trees across the road; and the escort, led by 
the intreped Markins, in dusk of evening, just as they made a short turn 
in the road, a very difficult place to flank, were immediately in front of 



SCOUTING SERVICE. 261 

the blockade, when they discovered it, and instantaneously with the dis- 
covery came a volley from the bushwhackers. Markins in the ad- 
vance, Avas most exposed, and, as he afterward related, fell the first vol- 
ley. The escort, not wholly unprepared, fired at the flash of the ene- 
my's guns, and literally hewed their way through the enemy and around 
the blockade, almost at the identical spot where Willhide, on a former 
occasion, had received the the terrible wound in his hip. Strange to 
relate, they all returned to camp but the brave scout. The day follow- 
ing, the General ordered a company of cavalry to go to the place of 
ambush and search for the scout. It being dark on their arrival, they 
did not find him, though it seemed passing strange, as he lay in the 
middle of the road, just where he fell from his horse, until return of 
scouts over fifty hours later. Markins says the enemy came to him the 
next day and he begged them for God's sake to raise him up and give him 
water, which they refused with an oath. The other scouts went forward 
unaware of the terrible fate that hail befallen their brave comrade, and 
reached the home of a union man in the early part of the night, where 
they put up for the night. About 3 o'clock in the morning they were 
wakened for breakfast, the good woman of the house having prepared 
an excellent one. They had just sat down to eat when they heard some 
one shouting, "get out, get out," at the top of his voice, which arrested 
all further proceedings. The family had intended to go to Monterey 
that morning, had risen early for that purpose, and had sent their boy 
out to what they called a hacking, to get the horses. The boy saw some 
confederates approaching the house, and gave the alarm. The scouts 
jumped to their feet at once, rushed out of the house, and lay down in 
some brush, where they concealed themselves the best they could. In 
a few minutes the house was surrounded by the enemy, demanding the 
surrender of the scouts, the latter being so close that they could hear 
every word that was said. 'Hie woman of the house denied that any 
scouts were in the house, and when asked why the boy had given such 
an alarm, replied that they were going to mill that day and had to get 
up early, and the boy was calling them out. They threatened to burn 
the house if she did not tell, but she stoutly denied having seen any 
scouts. They then hunted everywhere for them, and even tore up the 
floor, which was made of puncheons. After a fruitless search they very 
reluctantly left. The scouts remained in hiding all day, and dur- 
ing the time noted many items of information of value. The 
confederates then returned to their camp rather crest fallen. 
About II o'clock that night, the scouts started on their return tramp, 
having received considerable information of value from their friends. 
They slept part of the night, resuming their journey the next day. 
Toward evening they came near a house, in front of which two horses, 
saddled and bridled were standing. They naturally concluded that the 
riders must be inside, and the chances for a tempting prize were good. 



262 SCOUTING SERVICE. 

Willhide suggested lluit they undertake the caiiture of both men and 
horses, which was agreed to. 'I'liey slipjjed up to tlie side of tlie house, 
the typical log structure of the mountains, cautiously went to tlie door, 
which was shut, drew their revolvers ready for use, and then pulled the 
latch string, and there sat two southern cavalrymen, talking to two girls. 
The scouts made themselves known, disarmed the soldiers, and taking 
them with them hurried away, as they wanted to reach Clreenbrier river 
by dark, which they did, and again started to climb Cheat mountain. 
To pass the old "Gum House" was now their greatest danger, and 
Gaddis proposed to take the advance, while the other two followed with 
the prisoners and horses. The night was dark, and the prospects none 
the brightest. Gaddis was to tire his revolver if he came on any great 
danger. He passed the old house in safety, wlicn coming to a bend in 
the road, he saw some dark objects in front of him. While examining 
closely to ascertain what the objects were, he heard his name called, 
which was repeated, and upon inquiring who called, the answer came, 
"(3h 15ob, I am shot." Gaihlis then recognized him as th.e brave, faith- 
ful, Markins, who had received his death wound as stated. His piteous 
cry for help, rang in Gaddis' ears for months afterward. The scouts 
went on to camj), turned over their prisoners, and an ambulance was 
sent for Markins, who died soon afterward. 

On the return from Salem, while in camp the first night out, about 
3 or 4 o'clock in the morning, Smitley detailed Gaddis, Sharer and 
George INIooney, to ride to New (Jastle about eight miles ahead, to see 
a doctor there, who was a union man, and get from him information in 
regard to the movements of the enemy. They reached their destination 
about daybreak, rode up to the doctor's house and made known to him 
their business. He told them to get out of that as quickly as possible, 
and pointing across the town said there is a major and twenty-five men. 
As he spoke some of the gray coats appeared, and the scouts moved 
away, with the confederates following. Soon it was a chase for capture 
or freedom, some of the horsemen coming out of the different streets, 
and dashing rapidly after the retreating scouts, called upon them to 
surrender, but that was something not to be thought of. Firing began, 
and it was now only a question of endurance of men and horses, as a 
fight between equal numbers was out of the question. The scouts dashed 
down the river, being unable to cross it, until they came to a very nar- 
row road, which terminated in a bluff that ran out into the river. Tliey 
were hemmed in by a mountain on one side and the confederates on the 
other, and there was no escape, and they prepared to sell their lives as 
dear as possible. They knew it was tleath to be captured, and they pre- 
ferred to die fighting rather than die as prisoners. They dismounted, 
drew their Henry rifles, and as the enemy came in range let them have 
the best they could from their trusty guns. This checked them for a 
few minutes, and then the firing became general, but even that must 



SCOUTING SERVICE. 263 

come to an end, as the scouts were outnumbered eight or ten to one, and 
were almost out of ammunition. Soon a \o\\(\ shouting and cheering 
was heard from the opposite side of the river, and there came a body of 
Averell's brave boys, just in the nick of time, and at once opened fire 
on the now frightened confederates. The firing had attracted their at- 
tention and they surmised what was wrong and came hastily to the aid of 
the hard pressed scouts. Now the chase took another form, and the con- 
federates were driven back to the town, the scouts charging them with 
vigor, driving them through the alleys and across lots, and succeeded in 
capturing all of the party, with the help of their relief, except the major 
and a few of his men. The general and liis command soon came up, 
and went into camp. 

Desiring information of the condition of affairs ahead of him. Gen, 
Averell here sent out Gaddis, Sharer and Mooney, to ascertain all they 
could. The order was to go to the top of a mountain, some three miles 
distant, and see if any of the enemy were in sight. All went well until 
they got near the top of the mountain, when they met a body of twenty- 
five or thirty confederates, who were distant about 150 yards. Although 
dressed in confederate uniforms, it availed the scouts nothing, as their 
enemy opened fire on them at nwcit. The scouts wheeled their horses 
and started to run, but it was evident they were in close quarters. 
Gaddis rode a horse that he had captured, an animal of worth, that had 
carried him through many a hard scrai)e, and he told his associates to 
ride on as fast as they could, and as their pursuers came around a bend 
in the mountain, he would give them a few shots and check them. 
Looking up the mountain, he saw several confederates riding at the top 
of their horses' speed, aiming to get ahead of him on the road. The 
one in the lead was a large, red faced man, with long red whiskers 
parted in the middle, and was a wild, daring, fearless looking fellow, 
mounted on a large black horse. Just as Gaddis passed the road this 
man came down and fired at him, and Claddis at him, but neither 
checked his horse for a moment. Now it was a race down the moun- 
tain road, and no race course es'er afforded so exciting a chase. 
Gaddis' pursuer was not more than ten steps behind him, and 
he in turn was followed by his men, all in hot jiursuit, and shoot- 
ing every chance they got. The confederate called on Gaddis to 
halt, who replied with a shot, and in turn the confederate 
bullets whistled all around him. They soon emptied their revolvers, 
and Gaddis' only safety now lay in the swiftness and endurance of his 
horse; but it was worn with the terrible work of the campaign and soon 
the confederate began to gain on him, and drawing his saber, in-epared 
to use it on the brave scout. Me is close by the side of Gaddis, has 
raised his saber for the fatal blow, when confederate and union scout, 
together, rush into the midst of a body of union soldiers. Gaddis 
called out hastilv to his comrades to shoot the man, and willing hands 



2 64 SCOUTING SERVICE. 

senil leaden messengers after him as lie dashed up the road, hul none 
seemed to hit him, and he escaped. After the general had sent out the 
scouts, he sent a picket post of ten men, who were the means of saving 
the lives of the hard pressed scouts. 

When (icn. Averell's command reached Huntersville, on the return 
from the Salem raid, it became necessary to send out some of the scouts 
to mislead Imboden's forces, who were trying to cut our brigade off on 
the retreat to Beverly.. Rob't (laddis, \\"\\\ Shirle}- and (iCO. Mooney 
were selected for the dangerous work. Their instructions were to start 
up the valley, ride all night, and scatter the news far and wide that they 
were Echols' men sent to Imboden to tell him that Ax'ercU was coming 
up the valley, and to be prepared to intercept him, while Echols would 
press Averell closely. Having done this, the scouts were to take' the 
nearest route to Beverly. The three brave men started on their mission 
after dark, rode all night and the next day until noon without any 
serious trouble. Occasionally they met citizens to whom they told their 
story. About noon tliey ran into a confederate lieutenant and si\t)' 
men, who hailed the scouts and asked them to what command they 
belonged, while the scouts also questioned them. The three men said 
they belonged to I'^chols' command, and told the same old story. The 
lieutenant said that they were there on the lookout for Averell, as they 
did not know exactly which road to expect him, and when told that he 
was coming up the valley, they were jubilant, and made the scouts take 
dinner with them. They fed their horses, put a shoe on Shirley's horse 
and were pleasant and kind. Gaddis and comrades acce])ted the situa- 
tion and made the best of it, and when ready to start, the lieut- 
enant sent a man with them to lead them to Imboden's camp. 
The gui'de took them past the road that led to Beverly, but when he 
dei)arted they hastily rode back to the right road, put spurs to their 
horses and dashed toward Beverly. They were now in a section in which 
they had frequently scouted and knew the road well. They had gone 
but a short distance when they met a boy on horseback who was going 
to the mill. One of the scouts said he knew the boy and expressed a 
fear that he would be recognized, but they pulled their hats over their 
faces and rode past very fast, went on some distance and came to a 
house. They dismounted, fed their horses and went into the house, 
where there were a man and woman. Mooney was uneasy and restless, 
and the man acted as if suspicious, l)ut the wife prepared them a meal. 
Mooney objected to staying and kept going to the door frequently, on 
the lookout. The woman had just got the meal ready, and the scouts 
were in the act of sitting down, when ?^Iooney apjiearcd with a look on 
his face that they well understood, when they rushed to their horses, 
mounted and were away on the run. Looking back they saw coming 
the lieutenant and his men, who had entertained them at dinner. Now 
came the race for life. The\ were about 2; miles from (Ireenbrier 



SCOUTING SERVICE. 265 

river, the day was cold, there was a deep snow on the ground, and the 
problem was to reach that river which, once crossed, they had a fair 
chance ol' escaj^ng. I'he company fired at the scouts, when about 300 
yards apart, but the bullets fell short of their aim. The fugitives made 
good use of their horses, but Shirley's horse so(jn showed signs of lame- 
ness where he had been shod, and before many miles had been gone, he 
had to abandon him. Coming to a sjjur of the Alleghenies, they went 
straight up the mountain side, jumped ofi' their horses, and with gads 
forced the poor beasts uj) the Tuountain. Reaching the top, they could 
see away down in the valley, Imt tlie mountain side here was too steep 
for the horses to descend. Caddis being Ileet of foot, told Shirley to 
mount his horse, while he went afoot. The horsemen had to go a con- 
siderable distance before they reached the valley, and by the time they 
arrived there, (raddis wa ; in waitings and mounted behind Shirley. 
'X\\Q\ were now fully a mile in advance of their pursuers. A few miles 
further on they came to a house, and a horse hitched outside. Here 
the roads forked, one in the direction (;f cam]) Allegheny, now deserted, 
and the other to camp F.artow. They rode uj) to the house and shouted, 
when the door opened and a confederate officer stepped out, followed 
by about a dozen men wearing \mion overcoats. The officer was 
dressed in his own uniform, and the scouts vrere ])ut on their guard, and 
prevented from getting into serious trouble. Saluting the officer, 
(iaddis asked him which of the roads led to camp P.artow. The officer 
hesitated, wlien the question was repeated, an answer was given, and 
Gaddis said, "We are in a hurry, as Averell is coming up the valley, 
and we are warning all our men to get away and save themselves; the 
whole valley is full of them." They again put sinirs to their horses, 
giving the officer no time to ask further questions, and rode rai)idly un- 
til they came to a bend in tlic road, where there v\-as another house, and 
five more confederates ran out and started up the mountain side. The 
scouts shouted at them to get av,-ay, as .Xverell's men were coming, and 
they seemed very willing to obey. Cn they went until they met an old 
woman. They asked her if there were any more of their men out that 
way, to which she replied yes, at the next house down the road, where 
her son was. They told her about Averell coming, when she pleaded 
with them to hurry forward and tell her son, which they promised to do. 
They then asked if there were no more troops, and she said no, that all 
the rest were in the houses they jiassed. This was a grateful relief, as 
they had begun to think that confederates grew on the bushes in that 
neck o.i the woods. Hurrying on, they came to the house, when the old 
woman's son looked out, and h.e was told the same old story. 'Hie 
scouts had made good time, and were nearing Creenbrier river, and if 
their horses could only hold out to Cheat Mountain, then th.ey could 
cross the mountain on foot, and consider themselves safe. Soon they 
reached the river, which was swollen, and was a raging torrent; but it 



2 66 SCOUTING SERVICE. 

was not half so wild and dant^erous as the foes behind them, so they 
plunged into the cold, dashing stream and were soon safe on the other 
side. They had no fear of the enemy crossing after them, and when 
about 300 yards away, they saw their pursuers coming, who galloped 
down to the stream, but concluded not to attempt to swim it. They 
fired at the scouts, when the latter waved their hats and cheered their 
discomfited foes, but saved their ammunition for the future, not re- 
turning the fire. They rode over Cheat Mountain to Huttonville, where 
they met union troops from Beverly, and the next day Averell's belated 
and worn troopers, rode into the place, safe again within our own 
lines. 

In the winter of 1864, while Averell's command was in camp at Mar- 
tinsburg, Mosby's cavalry caused considerable trouble, picking up every 
straggling soldier they coukl find and capturing our horses. The gen- 
eral received information that they were encami)ed at Winchester, but to 
be sure of it, he sent out six of his scouts, to ascertain the truth. It was 
a bitter cold evening when they went out, and they got as far as Bunker 
Hill, where they stopped with a family with whom they were acquainted. 
It was now snowing, and they concluded to wait until it ceased. After 
while Gaddis and Sharer concluded to go ahead, and when within four 
miles of AVinchester, stopped at the house of an Irishman, who i)rctend- 
ed to be a union man. He built a fire, put the horses in the stable and 
fed them, and said Mosby's men were in Winchester the previous day. 
About five o'clock in the morning the two scouts started for Winchester, 
rode up over breastworks that were on their side of the town, and saw 
enough to convince them that there were confederates there in plenty. 
They returned to Bunker Hill, the other scouts having left with the loss 
of their horses. Upon the return of the party to cam]), there was a good 
deal of chafiing about it, but the General was in no pleasant humor o\-er 
it. Gaddis, Sharer and Mooney determined to get even with Mosby's 
bold rangers, so on the next Sunday night the three started for Bunker 
Hill, intending to stop at the house where there was a young lady, the 
house being watched by the confederates, to capture any of the union 
horses that might be hitched at the i)lace. The scouts reached there 
about 9 o'clock at night, tied their horses to the portico in front of the 
house, made the family go up stairs, while they watched below. The)- 
kept a good look-out, and about three o'clock in the morning they saw 
three horsemen ride up to a white church, which stood off to the left a 
short distance, going behind the building, where two of the men dis- 
mounted, while the third held the horses. The scouts had had the house 
entirely darkened, so they could not be seen. In the room where they 
were watching, was a front door and one window. Their plan was 
for Mooney to stand at the windov>^. Sharer was to hold the knob of the 
door in his hand and keep it slightly ajar, while Mooney was to keep his 
hand on Sharer's shoulder. Out of this room on the north side of the 



SCOUTING SERVICE. 267 

house stood another small porch, and in the dark corner of it Gaddis 
was to crouch close, as the confederates had to pass within ten feet of 
where he was. It was bitter cold and starlight, and Gaddis had taken 
off liis boots so as to be able to give a lively chase, and his position was 
a rather uncomfortable one. Mooney was to watch through the window, 
and as they came up to cut the horses loose, he was to give Sharer a 
push, who was to throw open the door and fire, and then Gaddis was to 
jump out and shoot also. The plan worked well. The two men ap- 
proached on tip toe, each having a knife in one hand and a revolver in 
the other, passing close by where Gaddis stood. Just as they got to the 
horses ready to cut them loose, Mooney shoved Sharer, who threw open 
the door and fired at the men, and Gaddis jumped out also and fired. 
They fired in turn, when the whole five engaged in the lively fusilade for 
a few minutes, but no one was hit, though Sharer had a very close call. 
The horses broke loose and ran away, and the confederates took to their 
heels to get away. One v/as a lieutenant, who was followed by Mooney 
and Sharer, and the other an orderly sergeant, who was pursued by 
Gaddis. The lieutenant was soon killed and the horse holder escaped, 
but Gaddis had a serious time with his man. I>oth were very rapid run- 
ners, the advantage being with Gadtlis, and as they ran a running fire 
was kept up, Gaddis firing all his loads but one. The race was kept 
up for about 300 yards, when Gaddis overtook his man, grabbed him, 
and a scuflle followed. The sergeant turned and fired at Gaddis, the 
ball grazing his tem|)le, but not severe enough to draw blood, but he was 
stunned and fell to his knees, still holding to his man. The sergeant 
put the muzzle of his revolver under Gaddis' right eye, pulled the 
trigger, but the cap snapped, and no explosion followed. This aroused 
Gaddis, whose vigor returned, and the scuffle was resumed. The 
sergeant drew his knife, but before he could use it Gaddis' revolver 
went off, and the man begged Gaddis not to shoot again, as he would 
surrender. Just then Mooney came running up, and thinking it was a 
struggle for life, he fired into the man, and he fell dead to the ground. 
The fight over, they now turned their attention to their horses, but they 
were nowhere to be found, until they returned to the house, where they 
stn])pcd, when the young lady, Miss Amy White, rode up with the three 
horses, which she had gone after and secured. The scouts found $25 
in greenbacks on the dead men, which they presented to Miss White for 
her daring and heroism. The parents of the sergeant requested his 
body, which was given them. • 

When (jcn. Sigel assumed command of the forces in the Shenandoah 
valley, in the spring of 1S64, Smitley's scouts were ordered to report to 
his headquarters for duty. They did so, when Smitley as chief, and 
Willhide, Bailey, Lock, and E. F. Smitley v/ere retained, the rest going 
with General Averell to the Kanawha valley. To these General Sigel 
added others, among whom were two brothers from the First West Vir- 



2 68 SCOUTING SRRVICE. 

ginia Cavalry, nainctl Harris, familiarly known as "Spike" and •' Lasses." 
The scouts were placed under the direction of Cen. Jidius Stahel. 
On May 10,1864, they ^\'crc ordered to report to Gen. Sigel's headcpiarters 
in Winchester. The general told Smitley he had sent 500 cavalry to 
Moorcficld, and it being long past the time they should be heard from, 
and having sent several other scouts for inf(jr;nation witlunit any of them 
returning, the general felt considerable an.xiety about them and inquired 
of him if he had a scout suitable for the emergency. All members of 
the old Second Virginia would understand the situation. Sending 500 
cavalry over there at that time, with green scouts, meant their capture 
or a bad defeat; to send green scouts to see about them, meant for Mc- 
Neil or Moseby to jjick them uj) as soon as outside our lines. Smitley's 
scouts, that were suitable, being overworked, he offered his services. 
The general demurred at first, then askctl hmv many men he wanted 
with him, and how soon he could make the trip. Smitley told him if 
the cavalry were not captured he could go to them and return in about 
thirty hours; if captured, he could get reliable information and return in 
twelve hours, and would go alone. But the general decided he must 
have a lieutenant and twenty-five cavalry with him. Scout '-Spike" 
Harris had, a few hours previously, complained to Smitley of fancied 
partiality to the old Second scouts in his details, and reijuested to go 
along the ne.xt time and he would prove he was true blue. So Smitley 
hunted the poor fellow up, taking him to what proved his grave. About 
IIP. is\., May loth, Smitley and Harris, a lieutenant and twenty-five 
cavalry left Winchester, the lieutenant with written dispatches and 
Smitley v/ith oral, in case the written ones failed to go through. 
They were nearly all night getting outside our lines, and a little after 
daylight they passed througli Wardenville. Soon after, coming to a 
stream of water, along the shore of which their road led, a short bend 
disclosed to them about fifteen or twenty rebel cavalry approaching, not 
more than 150 yards off. Harris was riding close by Smitley's side. 
Smitley turned, and anticipating his question, Harris said, with a sup- 
pressed oath, "we will go through them quicker than croton oil." 
Smitley led and sent Harris to keep the rear closed up. The enemy in 
sight proved a very small obstruction, as they, no doubt, felt secure in 
their backing. Close to their rear was a regiment of cavalry, into the 
midst of which the scouts plunged, horses at full speed. To say the 
rebels were thunder struck Avould be very weak language, as they liter- 
ally rode some of them down, and the little squad they first met was 
simi)ly whirled by them into the midst of their friends. The reader can 
imagine the confusion. Harris proved to be a prodigy of strength, valor 
and ingenuity in eluding the grasp of the enemy. In the shock, friend 
and foe were mixed indiscriminately. Harris, whose suit of blue was 
covered with one of grey, coming in contact with rebels in blue, cursed 
them for Yankees, and in tones of thunder, would call on them to 



SCOUTING SERVICE. 269 

surrender, at the same time knocking them right and left; this did 
not turn back or stop the Tight, but they cleared their -.va}' in 
any manner they couhl,^and, singuLir to relate, escaped in the confusion 
without a scratch, although pursuit was immediately instituted by the 
enemy. Smitley and Harris were the only ones to escape capture and 
they were now inside the enemy's lines; and if the reader will ])icture to 
himself a ring hunt for game, he will have the best description that could 
be given of their condition. Having made up their minds to return to 
camp with such information as they had been able to glean during the 
day, they halted at a farm house for supper and horse feed, so much 
needed. They fed their horses on the ground close to the door. En- 
tering the room they found a bright fire in the old-fashioned fire place 
and sat d.own to wait a few moments for supper. Having carried a 
brace of heavy revolvers about his waist twenty-four hours, Smitley 
loosed his belt and placed them on the floor by his chair. In a moment 
he was asleep. Harris must have remained awake, as it appeared but a 
moment till he, in a loud voice, called out, "the rebels arc coming." 
Smitley was startled, and, half awake, thought Harris was hurrying him 
to supper, when the report of a revolver brought him to a realization of 
his surroundings. There was a door and window on each side of the 
room, and three rebels had entered the room. Harris had escaped 
through a door on the opposite side. As Smitley was rising from his 
chair, a rebel picking up his revolver off the floor, he was grazed on the 
temple by a bullet fired by Harris through the window. Harris made 
things li\ely until his revolvers were emptied, and then ran from tin: 
house, when he vv-as shot through the heart and instantly killed, while 
Smitley was a |:)risoner. 



("IIAPrER XIX. 



PRISON LIFE. 



HE F()J,i,()\VING sketch of prison life is furnished by Jacob C. 
Matlick, of Comjjany V>, and it so well covers the horrors and 
incidents of life in two of the most noted of the southern pris- 
ons, that it is used in the history of the regiment, as representing the 
experiences of the many comrades of our regiment, who languished in 
prison, some of whom gave up their lives in this horrible manner. No 
pen is equal to tlie task of portraying the suffering, the depths of despair 
and the horror experienced in these infamous dens, and it will not be 
attempted here, but a plain recital of what actually occurred will be 
given. 

"While returning off the Salem raid in December, 1S63, a detail of 
four men was made from Company B for provost guard, composed of 
Joseph M. West, Edward B. Creel, William E. Staffonl and Jacob (). 
Matlick, and it fell to our lot to guard the prisoners. The slow progress 
made by the prisoners on foot, made quite a gap between the advance and 
the provost guard, and the ambulances and wagon train also in the rear. The 
confederates observing this weak point, and taking advantage of the dark- 
ness charged past our stragglers and ambulances, and the provost guard 
were fully apprised of their danger only when confronted with drawn sabers 
and revolvers. The four of Company B were in the rear of the line of 
prisoners, and were captured, though most of the others in front escaped 
with the prisoners in their charge. Just how many of our men were 
captured that night is not certainly known, but of the whole command 
not many beyond one hundred. The confederates took us about 
half a mile further down the river to an old shed, where we were kept 
until the morning of the 20th, and were then taken to a building near 
by and some raw beef and flour issued for our use. On the 2 2d we 
started in the direction of Staunton, arriving there the evening of the 
24th, tired, hungry and foot sore. They marched us up southwest of 
the depot, on a high bleak knob, facing the northwest, and the wind 



PRISON LIFE. 271 

was blowing very hard and cold from that direction. At this point there 
were several stables that their cavalry had quartered their horses in the 
previous winter, and we thought we would get to sleep in them that night 
out of the cold wind, but that was denied us. They let us lie on the 
bare, frozen ground, without fire, v/here we suffered most intensely. 
We endured the cold the best we could, and early on the morning of the 
25th, we were put aboard the cars and sent to Richmond, the coaches 
being good ones. We arrived in Richmond about 8 p. m., and were put 
in Scott's old tobacco building. The week following they sent in the 
noted 'Majah Tunnah', to search us, who took from us everything he 
could find of value except our clothes. We were stripi)ed naked and 
our clothes thoroughly overhauled. It was in that building that we had 
our introduction to the 'N'Yaarkers' or raiders, who infested every pri- 
son, and were almost as great a terror to the poor prisoners as their in- 
human keepers. We were kept here until January i, 1S64, when we 
were taken to Belle Isle, and turned loose in that miserable pen, which 
consisted of about four acres, v^'ith an embankment thrown up aromid 
ti, and a ditch on the inside which served as a dead line. ^Ve were 
counted off in hundreds and so numbered to draw rations. The island 
consisted of about ten acres opposite the upper end of Richmond. The 
prison was in command of one Lieut. Bossieux, a rather young man, a 
southerner by birth. He was assisted by two Sergeants Might and Marks, 
who were very cruel, as also was the lieutenant, when angered. 
Outside the prison pen was a bakehouse, made of boards, the 
tents for the accommodation of the officers and guards, and a 
hospital also of tent cloth. Running from the pen was a lane enclosed 
by high boards, running to the water's edge. At night it was closed by 
a gate at the pen, anil thrown open in the morning. Al)out one half of 
the ten thousand prisoners there at that time had tents, and the remain- 
der slept and lived out of doors. '■Fhat memorable New Year's night is 
remembered by many thousands to this day, on account of the extreme 
cold, and many succumbed to the grim monster that night. I 
was lucky enough to get in a tent by finding two comrades, James Cali- 
ban and Kid Simpson, who were left to care for our wounded at Rocky 
Ga]) the 27th of August, and had a tent, but Stafford saved himself only 
by running all night up and down the street in the center of the camp. 
Next day we all got together and crowded into the tent, making nine in 
one little A tent. We had but liftle cover, lay on the ground, putting 
our feet under each other's arms to keep them from freezing. No lan- 
guage is adequate to convey the least conception of the awful misery 
and suffering endured on that island that fall and winter. We were on 
the island two months and eight days, and many who went on there when 
we did starved to death long before we left, and many were the 
insane caused by hunger and exposure. Men, more ghastly than death 
itself, were stalking around the camp, not knowing where they were 



72 



m/SON LIFE. 



wandering, with feet frozen luird. Vet we are told that we did all this 
for the money we .i.;(it ; bnt in tlie face of all the snOerin:; we endured, 
with death on e\'er_\' hand, we were ofl'eied plentw and freedom, if we 
wonid hnt renonnce the old (laj;- and join the confederate army. We 
told them we wonld rot first, as man\' did. and as manv more, periia]):,. 
might as well ]ia\'e done, the wa)- they ha\-e since 'suffered. I 
appeased somewliat tlie pangs of h'lng,;.- hy finding an old friend on the 
island, wiiom f l:new as a former school teacher and class leader, wwd 
1)\- llie aid of the guard at the gatJ 1 git aw interview willi him. lie 
\-isited me occasionally and l)r()ught me what he could that I 
needed most, and ga\'e me some confederate monev, which helped me 
through the prison. U au}' of the boys would coiiimitany rnisdeme.-inor, 
Lieut. r.ossiLHix wouM not give us any rations for that ^\[\y , adding^ 
misery to want, for we recei\cd only a ])iecc of corn l)rcad about two 
inches squaie, each day, or a i)int of field i)ea broth, and it covered with 
bugs, or about tv^'o spcxuisful of rice f(U- a day's lalinns, and no meal. 
exce|)t once or twice during our stay there. .So strong became tlie 
craving fc^r animal food, that the white bull terrier belonging to Lieut. 
JSossieux, round and fat, was one day decoyed int.> a tent, a blanket was 
thrownoverhim an;! his throat cut, within arod of where his master stood, 
and then skinned and cooked into a .savor\- meal for manv hungr}- men. 
When the lieutenant learned the fate of his four footed friend, lie raged 
and stormed with anger, and stopped our rations f(^r a day, and meted 
su(di jHinishment as he could. ( )ne of the saddest scenes we saw on the 
island, was five poor fellows, reduce^! tn skeleton-;, wlio Inirrowed utidei' 
tlie hard crust of t'ne sand on the southside, beside the ditcli. wh,ei-e 
tlu.-y could lie in tlu' suii in i\Ay time, and at niglit could l)c out of the 
wind, as they had no covering. One cold morning they were found 
dead, and were carried out and laid to i-cst. We had no v.ood issued to 
us that would do .any good toward warming us. the issue being' aboui 
tliree sticks to a Irunlred men, and that v.-as sjilit uj) fine to do our little 
cooking in our quart cups, lliat we mi!;l;t ck.ance to have to do. 'Lhe 
;;anitary commissiovi sent a man th.rtuigli witls some clothing, that vras 
issued to us some lime in J.iru'.ary. I grit a blanket, that did. tlic 
nine much good; also a c(-ipy of the New 'iY-stament, whicli the boys 
(.\agcrl\- read, and wliich I ha\'e \ et in ni\- possession, a priceless treas- 
ui-e to myself and family. We were so starved that when we tried to 
go to slec]) at idght, v,-c dieanad of seeing great q'uantilies of good 
things to eat, Init when we were aI)out to partake of thcng we would 
awaken to find that it was merel\- a di->.',am, and. our hunger was intensi- 
fied. 'Idius we sutiered and endured, until the last week in l''ebr!iai-v. 
wlien th.ey liegan to take out about five hundred j)risoners at a time, and 
they told us they had agreed to excliange, so there was a rush to get out 
first, but our nine wailed until lhe lliird call. On 3.Jarch cSlh. about lo 
A. .M., we left the island, crossed into RichnK-ncL and were taken to the 



PRISON LIFE. 273 

Pemberton tobacco warehouse, where we were kept until about 4 a. m. of 
the loth, when we were taken to the southside of the city and put into a 
lot of box cars as close as we could stand, having no room to sit or lie 
down. We went through Petersburg, reaching that evening a station 
called Gaston, in the edge of North Carolina, where we were taken out 
and camped in a piece of woods, and, it being fairly warm, we enjoyed 
a clean place to sleep. They gave us some hard tack, about enough for 
one meal, and it v.-as here that I bought some meat, the first we had eaten 
for over two months. On the morning of the nth we were again put 
into stock cars and started for the unknown to us, passing through 
Raleigh, thence to Charlotte, wlierc tliey side-tracked us and locked us 
in the cars and kept us over one night. The next morning we continued 
our journey, passing through Columbia, S. C, to Augusta, where we 
were changed into box cars, and given an ear of corn to eat, and where 
some of the sick were sent to the hospital, one of whom had the small 
pox. AVc continued our advance until, on the night of March 15th, we 
reached a small station called Anderson, Sumptcr county, Ga., sixty 
miles south of Macon, and v/ere there taken out and marched about 
three-fourths of a mile southeast, and counted off into hundreds, and 
driven, as so many brutes, into what was known to the confederates as 
Camp Sumptcr, and to us the hated Andersonville. We were so stiff 
and tired that we could scarcely walk, but when the gates of that prison 
closed upon us, we soon stretched ourselves on the bare ground and 
slept soundly. But when the fog had cleared away in the morning, we 
began to realize our terrible condition. 

ANDERSONVILLE PRISON. 

This place was one of the stations on a rudely constructed, rickety 
railroad, that runs from Macon to Albany, the head of navigation on the 
Flint river, which is 106 miles from Macon and 250 from the Gulf of 
Mexico. Andersonville was about sixty miles from Macon and about 
300 miles from the Gulf. The camp was simply a hole cut in the wil- 
derness. It was as remote a ])oint from our armies then, as the confed- 
eracy could give. The place was an immense })en about one thousand 
feet long by eight hundred wide, and contained about sixteen acres. 
The walls were formed by pine logs twenty-five feet long, two to three feet 
in diameter, hewn square, which were set in the ground five feet, leaving 
the walls twenty feet high. The logs were placed so close together as to 
leave no crack to see the outside world. The pen was divided in the 
center by a creek about three feet wide and ten inches deep, running 
west to east, on each side of which was a bog of slimy ooze about one 
hundred and fifty feet wide, in which one would sink to the waist. From 
this swamp the sandhills sloped north and south to the stockade. There 
were two entrances to the stockade, one on each side of the creek, mid- 
wvay between it and the ends, called the 'north gate' and the 'south 
gate.' These were constructed double, b)' building smaller stockades 

T 



2 74 PR/SOA^ LIFE. 

around them on the outside, v,ith another set of gates. At reguhir inter- 
vals of about fifty feet along the top of the; stockades, little perches were 
built on the outside, in which were the sentries, Avho overlooked the 
whole inside of the prison. AVhen we first went there the jM'ison was 
commanded by one C'ol. Tiersons, who would nearly every day ride in 
and talk to us, and the guards were rcasonabl}' good, much unlike the 
cruel wretches that guarded us from Richmond to Augusta, who woidd 
rather run a bayonet through a \'ank than eat. \\c I'cceivcd about a 
pint of meal per day and about two ounces of bacon. At that time 
there was plenty of wood in the camp, cut from the tops of the timber 
and hewn from the logs, which we used to make fires to cook by. 
With the large area of the prison and plenty of wood, we were having a 
fairly good time for prisoners, but the water was bad, as the stream from 
which we obtained it was at best but a sv.-amj) and the drainage of 
swam])S, with all the confederate camps on it above, and aftervrards our 
cook house was located on it immediately above the prison. 

r>ut our good time was fast disappearing, for about March 25th Col. Pier- 
sons, with his command, was ordered to the front, and for guards they 
robbed both the cradle and the grave, and worse than all, they sent that 
frenzied old Swiss, Capt. Henry Wirz, to command us. He was a small 
brained, small souled, incompetent fellow, and as cowardl}' and cruel 
as he was small in all the elements of manhood. He had the respect of 
no one, and had the intense hatred of every prisoner. By the 10th of 
April our wood was exhausted and it began to get very warm in the day 
time, and in consequence of the heavy fogs at night, it would get very 
cold, so as to chill even those who were well dressed and hail blankets. 
The diarrliLCa and scurvy began to be much v.'orse, exhausting the 
men very fast, causing a score or more of deaths per day, ou.t of the 
12,000 prisoners then in the pen. To make our condition still Vtorsc, 
the raiders were robbing indiscriminately, and taking money, rations, 
blankets, clothing, or anything they wanted. They managed to get 
plenty to eat and have good clothing and blankets, so that they v/ere 
strong, and being armed with clul)s, could do about as they ])leascd, 
with but little resistance on the ]jart of their victims, who were so much 
worn down that they were unable to cope with tiie scoundrels. On the 
3d of July a lot of new jjrisoners came in, when the raiders cried 
out, ' fresh fish,' and attacked them. The prisoners v^'ere mf)stly A'vest 
Virginians, and gave them a hard fight, but as usual the cut throats ran to 
each other's rescue and came out ahead. Comidaints were made to the 
quartermaster about the outrages, and while he was coming in the South 
gate on the afternoon of the 3d, with a load of rations, a man was car- 
ried out whose head had been beaten into a jelly by the raiders. Tak- 
ing in the situation, being aware of the conduct of the raiders in the 
past, he ordered the wagon out and said we shouhl not have another 
ration, vmtil we got the raiders out. saying he would furnish a guard to 



PRISON LIFE. 275 

])rotcct (Hir men, if tlicy would catcli tlie scoundrels and hand them over 
to ihe L;uard at the gate, who would take care of them until we should 
rid the cam]) and dispose of them. Our men soon formed vigilance 
committees all over the cam}), and armed v/ith clubs, and protected by 
tlie guards, they soon ran down and took out all the raiders, over 100, 
and by dark the work was done. The morning of the 4th we drew our 
rations, but the best of all was that we were rid of the raiders, who were 
then tried by regular court martial, organized by Key, the head of the 
movement against the raiders, in which both sides were represented be- 
fore a comijctent court by attorneys, and witnesses heard. Six were 
regularly and duly proven guilty of murder in the first degree, and were 
sentenced to be hanged. About thirty were found guilty of maltreat- 
ment to fellow prisoners, and were sentenced to wear a ball and chain 
furnish.ed by the confederates, v/hile the remainder were turned loose in 
the camp, under the watch of the vigilance committees, which were so 
thoroughly organized that they kept all in peace and quiet. 

The following account of the execution of the raiders, is from Comrade J. 
L. Ransom's diary, as written at the time, a part of which is here used ; 
'Tlie morning of the iith, lumber was brought into the prison by the 
guards, and near the south gate a gallows was erected for the purpose of 
executing the six raiders condemned to death. At about lo o'clock they 
were brought in under guard by Capt. Wirz, and delivered over to the 
police force. Capt. '\Virz then said they had been tried by our own 
men, and for us to tlo as we chose with them, and that he washed his 
hands of the whole matter. Their names were as follows : John Sars- 
field, i4.:ith New York; William Collins alias 'Mosby', Company D, SSth 
Pennsylvania; Charles Curtis, Battery A, 5th Rhode Island Artillery; 
Pat. Delaney, Company E, Zyl Pennsylvania; A. Muir, United States 
Navy, and Terrence Sullivan, 7 2d New York. After Wirz had made his 
little sj)eech, he withdrew his guards, leaving the condemned at the 
mercy of the enraged prisoners, who had all been more or less wronged 
by tliese men. Their hands were tied behind them, and one by one 
they mounted the scaffold. Curtis, who was last, a big stout fellow 
managed to get his hands loose, and broke away, on a run through the 
crowd ami down toward the swamps. He reached the sv>'amp and 
plunged in, trying to get over on the other side, presumably among his 
friends. It being very warm, he over exerted himself, and when about 
the middle of the swamp, he gave out and could go no further. The 
police started after him and waded in and helped him out. He was 
then led back to the scaffold and helped to mount it. All were given a 
chance to talk. Muir, a good looking fellov/ in marine dress, said he 
came into prison four months before, perfectly honest; and as innocent 
of crime as any fellow in it. Starvation, with evil companions, had 
made him what he was. He spoke of his mother and sisters in New 
York, that he cared nothing for himself, but the news that would be 



2 76 rAVSOJV LIFE. 

carried home to his friends, made him want to curse (iod that lie had 
ever been born. Delaney said lie would rather be hanged than live 
there as the most of them had to live on the allowance of rations. If 
permitted to steal he could get enough tc; eat, but as that was stopped, 
he would rather hang. He bade all good bye. He said his name was 
not Delaney, and that no one really knew who he was, therefore his 
friends would never know his fate, his Andersonville history dying with 
him. Curtis, with an oath, said he didn't care, only hurry up and not 
be talking about it all day, making too much fuss over a small matter. 
William Collins, alias "Mosby," said he v/as innocent of murder, and 
ought not to be hanged. He had stolen blankets and rations to preserve 
his own life, and begged the crowd not to see him hanged, as he had a 
wife and child at home, and for their sake to let him live. Sarsfield 
made quite a speech. He had studied law at the outbreak of the rebel- 
lion, had enlisted and served three years in the army, had been wounded 
in battle and furloughed home. After the wound had healed, he re- 
turned, was promoted to first sergeant, and also commissioned as lieu- 
tenant, but never mustered in, being taken prisoner. He began his 
downward course by stealing parts of rations, gradually becoming hard- 
ened as he became familiar with the crimes perpetrated, and here he was. 
The others did not care to say anything. While the condemned were 
talking,they were interrupted by all kinds of questions and charges from 
the crowd, such as 'don't lay it on too thick, you villain,' 'get ready to 
jump off,' 'cut it short,' 'you was the cause of so and so's death,' 'less 
talk and more hanging, ' etc. About ii o'clock they were blindfolded, 
hands and feet tied, and told to get ready, when the nooses were adjusted 
and the plank knocked from under. 'Mosby's' rope broke and he fell to 
the ground with blood spurting from his ears, mouth and nose. As they 
were lifting him back to the scaffold he revived, and begged for his life, 
but it was no use, and he was soon dangling with the rest, and he died 
very hard. It had been a good lesson. There were still bad ones in camp, 
but we had the strong arm of the law to keep them in check. 

During the hanging scene, the stockade was covered with rebels, who were 
fearful a break would be made if the the raiders should try to rescue their 
friends. Many citizens, too, were congregated on the outside in favor- 
able positions for seeing. Artillery was pointed at us from all direc- 
tions, ready for action in short order. Wirz stood on a high platform 
in plain view of the execution. After hanging for half an hour or so, 
the six bodies were taken down and carried outside. The raiders had 
many friends who crowded around and denounced the whole affair, and but 
for the police there would have been a big riot. Many both for and 
against the execution, were knocked down. Negroes came in to take 
down the scaffold, and the prisoners took hold to help, and the result 
was they carried away the whole thing, ropes, and all, for kindling, and 
relics to be carried north as mementoes of the horrible affair. The per- 



PRISON LIFE. 277 

son who inanipulatcd tlic drop, was taken out on parole of honor, as his 
life was in danger.' The prisoners now settled down to peace and 
quiet, talking exchange and hunting 'greybacks', which every man who 
had any pretence to cleanliness at all had to do. Morning and evening 
we would strip ourselves and give our clothing a thorough search for the 
little creepers, that wc might not be literally leached to death as many 
were. Each day we though it could get no worse, but each recurring 
day brought with it additional horrors and new scenes of trouble, with 
hotter weather, and the camp in worse condition. Although the camp 
was enlarged with about six acres, the men lay thick all over the ground, 
in all conditions imaginable, some beyond the conception of the human 
mind in their horror. Some were naked and bronzed by pine smoke and 
exposure, and thousands lay upon the ground with but little clothing, 
the most ghastly and horrible looking objects, enough, it would seem, to 
bring pity to the heart of a demon, dying at the rate of about 100 per day. 
The bodies of the dead, all besmeared wdth filth and vermin, were car- 
ried out of the south gate by fellow prisoners, between the hours of 8 in 
the morning and four in the evening, and there laid in rows, each body 
labeled with name, company and regiment, if known, where they lay 
until next day, when they were loaded in a wagon like wood in a rack, 
antl hauled to the cemetery about forty rods northwest of camp, where 
they wx're buried in a shallow ditch, one hundred in a ditch. The keep- 
ing of the sanitary condition of the camp was entrusted to the prisoners, 
the police force among them enforcing good order and seeing that the 
camp was kept in as good condition as circumstances would permit. 
The commander of the forces provided clubs and a few shovels and gave 
the i)oIice an extra ration of bread. During the first twenty-one days of 
June it rained hard every day, washing the camp clean. Through July 
and August we had frequent showers. One afternoon, early in August, 
there came one of those violent rains and flooded the camp six to eight 
inches deep, and flowed through the camp with such force as to break 
the stockade on the east. As soon as the guards noticed the break 
they fired two guns as a signal to get out, and a strong force was 
soon on the spot to prevent an escape if one was attempted. The 
storm did a good thing for the camp in washing out the filth, leaving 
it much more wholesome. The T2th of August there happened what we 
termed a 'Providential dispensation.' The water in the little creek was 
so indescribably bad, that no one could use it except incase of extreme 
necessity, and the prisoners on the southside had dug a few wells the 
best they could, which furnished nearly enough for that side, but they 
could not get water so easy on the northside, as the ground was higher 
and the water deeper. A nice, flowing spring broke out on the north- 
side, between the dead line and the stockade, about half way between 
the north gate and the stream, and came trickling down under the dead 
line. The prisoners soon had a receptacle fixed to receive the water, 



2 78 PRISON LIFE. 

and jMilicc stalioiicd so tluil all cuiild be supplied \Vhatever the cause 
of it, it was a providence to the suffering thousands that were blessed liy 
it. W. i;. Stafford became very sick, and it was soon discovered that 
he was l)reaking out, and knowing that he liad been exposed to the small- 
pox, lie was exaniinetl by a ph)'sician, and it was pronounced smallpox. 
He was at once removed to the smallpox hospital and soon recovered, 
but remained out of prison while there. He came into the enclosure 
occasionally and ministered to bis suffering comrades. About the first 
of July the corils of my legs began to contract, so I could not walk, 
and my legs were drawn to near an angle of 45 degrees from the knees. 
In addition to tins I took chronic diarrhoea in a very bad form, and my 
gums became swollen and my teeth all loose. I was in a most deplor- 
able condition, and on looking around me each morning and seeing the 
great numbers of dead and dying, I could not help being impressed with 
the terrible realities of death, for thus I sat for nearly two months, 
'without one beam of hope or spark of glimmering day.' During that 
long and horrible time, I noticed many who would be walking about, 
and in a few da}s would be silent in the cold sleep of death. My ob- 
servations led me to note that every one of intemperate or tlissipated 
habits, soon fell an easy ]M-ey to the dread destroyer, but those who had 
li\ed temperate in all things stood the hard trial much better. Also, 
that those of strong will power were able to endure more, and stood 
better chance of recovery. (Comrade E. 15. C'reel, though suffering hor- 
ribly, was not affected to the extent of his other comrades, but keiit on 
his feet. Lindsey Sexton, of Company K, was of very great helj) 
to me in my unfortunate and helpless condition. 

As time passed on our situation grew worse, as the thousands were 
crowded into the prison. The greatest number in the prison at any one 
time was 33,114, making about 1700 to the square acre. The whole num- 
ber received during its occ'upation was 45,613, whole number of ilealhs 
12,912. After Sherman took Atlanta the confederates began to get scared, 
and the last of August began preparations to transfer us to other i)ri- 
sons,and the last of September there were left 8,218 that could not walk, 
none being permitted to go except those who could walk to the depot. 
During September one-third of these died, during October one out of 
every two died, and in November one in every three died. 

Such was the mortality, and from no other cause than bad treat- 
ment, for they could have locatetl the jjrison on a river where we could 
have had plenty of good water and thus kept clean, and we knov/ from 
the word of people of the neighborhood, that they could have given us 
plenty to eat, and especially vegetables of any kind th.at would have 
saved our suffering from scurvy and diarrhoea, which was the prime 
cause of over 8,000 deaths. They could have fed us on sweet potatoes, 
of which the country had an abundance when matured. But no, that 
would not suit that old tyrant. General V/inder, the fiendish old tory. 



PRISON LIFE. 279 

who was told when he located the prison, by people living there, that it 
was a very unhealthy place, to which he answei'ed tliat that was what he 

wanted, where the 'd n Yankees would die as fast as they could catch 

them.' During August I became so bad and exhausted that I could not 
hel]) myself, only as I lifted myself about with rny lianfls on the ground, 
while in a sitting posture. Under the excitement of prospective ex- 
change, or from some other cause, I began to get better, and by the 8th 
of September I could stand and walk a little. 

No one can conceive tlie surprise of the prisoners vv^hen on the morn- 
ing of September 6th, the seven first detachments nearest the south 
gate, were ordered to be ready to march at any time, and all that could 
not walk should stay behind, and in the afternoon they were called out 
to be sent to our lines for exchange. The men of the Fifth West Vir- 
ginia Cavalry were in the fifteenth detachment, and there, as on Belle 
Isle, it would come our turn to go out in the third lot, following the 
numbers consecutively. As the second call was madc^ on the night of 
the yth, on the morning of the Sth we were expectantly looking for 
orders to march at any moment, and were buoyed up by the hope of 
getting home, or at least getting out of the hole of death in this camp. 
Every man that could possibly walk at all, was by the aid of a comrade 
practicing, that he might pass muster, which was to walk to the depot, 
three-fourths of a mile. About noon that day, Se])tember Sth, the call 
was made, ordering our detacliment out. I could barely make out to 
walk a little, but by the aid of comrades Creel and Sexton, I succeeded 
in supporting myself until we were passing ^Virz's quarters, when in 
order to pass, each one had to walk alone, and by a great effort, unsup- 
ported, 1 succeeded in satisfying the miserable tyrant. The gentle 
touch of the elbows of my comrades, ga\-e rjie the required strength. 
Arrived at the depot we rested about two hours, wlien v,-e were put into 
box cars, after receiving each a piece of corn bread weighing about six 
ounces, and we were on our way to Macon, ^\'e reached Macon that 
evening, and were side tracked on the east side of the Ocmulgee river, 
where we remained until the morning of tlie 9th, crowded together as so 
many hogs, and suffered intensely, when we started for Savannali, where they 
said we would be exchanged, reaching that city about sunset. It was a 
very rough ride over the jolting rails. I was seized with a severe attack 
of diarrhoea, which completely exhausted me. so tliat I could not help 
myself at all. The train ran into the city on to a beautiful street, lineil 
on both sides with live oaks, v/here the jjrisoners were ordered out. 
Neither myself nor Creel could walk \-y l!;at time, so botli tumbled out 
in the sand and lay there. Those that could walk were at once marched 
away to a stockade west of the old l)rick jail, and >,ve that could not 
walk, lay there in the street until about 9 o'clock, when some loyal 
ladies came along with a bucket of coffee and some soft !)read. Minis- 
tering angels were they, but a lieutenant came along at the same time, 



28o 



PRISON LIFE. 



witli wagons and a guard to take us away, and he (lro\e the ladies away, 
but not until we had received a cup of coffee, the first delicacy for nine 
months, ^\'e were loaded into the wagons, which were drawn by mules, 
driven by colored teamsters, and started up street. To our happy sur- 
jjrise a lot of good eatables were thrown into the wagon, at a place 
where we stopped. It was noticeable that the teams frequently stalled, 
once or twice in eac'i s<|uare, and at every stop, colored cooks from the 
basements of wealthy resitlences, would come with waiters in hnnd. and 
pour into the wagons a lot of food. It was after dark, but their forms 
were easily discernable, proving to the sick and weary prisoners, that 
the loyal blacks were still their true friends. 

By the time we got to the old jail enough had been given us for a fair 
supper, the first in many weary months. That was all we received from 
the time we left Andersonville on the the 8th until the i.?th. \\c were 
hauled to a nice green on the west side of the city, known as the old 
United States parade ground, near the United States marine hos])ital, 
and there they laid us on the bare ground, which v.as called a hospital, 
without any attention whatever, except a strong guard to keep us from 
running awa\', when none of us could walk. On Sunday, the iith, the 
ladies of the city came out by the hundreds, and with well filled baskets, 
who would have given us all the delicacies of the season, but that in- 
famous wretch, the most inhuman of his kind, Lieut. Davis, would not 
let them come near us, but they ]:)ersistcd until late in the evening, when 
he put them all under guard, and kept them there until long after dark. 
On that day they set up a lot of A tents on the ground, and we then lay 
in them, a jjaradise compared to .\ndersonville, as we had a clean ])lace 
to lie and pure air to breathe, though wc got very little to cat. If that 
cruel scoundrel. Davis, had jicrmitted it, the loyal ladies of tlic cil)-, of 
whom there were scores, would have kept us in plenty lo eat, but that 
would have been human, and the inhuman wretch forbade it. 

The first guards wc had at Savannah were a lot of marines dressed in 
the old regulation uniform, and were a nice lot of fellows. Hut the 
cradle and the grave were again robbed, and new guards were put on. 
The young men were the most cruel, while the old men were reasonably 
good, many of whom, it is believed, were Io\al at heart. ^Ve re- 
mained in these tents about four weeks, and were then transferred to 
a board stockade beside the marine hospital where some of our 
officers had been confined. There were A tents in there and 
boards to lie ui)on. That was the Savannah hospital. They put 
about three hundred of us in there, but we fared no better. The men 
died very fast of the various ailments, even of mos(|uito !)itcs, the blood 
was so ]joisoned with gangrene. If we becan-!e able to walk, we were 
sent away to Blackshear, Fla., or to Milieu, ^^'e soon caught on in our 
mess, and when the confederates would come in and order out an\- that 
could walk, we would lie down in our tents and could not walk, 



PRISON LIFE. 281 

for we feared wc could not liiifl a better place. lOxhausting 
diarrlKcas and other sickness, incident to our condition, still pros- 
trated us and I was so low that I believed death near, but a change for 
the better came, and I partially recovered. One Sunday in October, 
a confederate colonel and his wife came into the prison and 
talked with us very kindly and symi)athetically, and inquired 
very minutely about our condition and treatment. Seeming to 
realize our condition, he told us that on the next Thursday he would 
send into us sugar, coffee, rice, soft bread, vegetables and meat, but the 
boys had been lied to so mucli, that they would not believe him. 
Late on Thursday, when nearly all of the most sanguine began to despair 
of the fulfdlment of the i)romise, the gates were thrown open and the 
promised luxuries were at hand. Only those wlio had starved for ten 
long months, in the most abject conditions of life, could ajjpreciate 
such a blessing as this was to us, and for the next four weeks we reveled 
in the good things of life. But we began to suffer from cold, as we 
wore the same clothing as that in wliich captured, and it was very thin, 
incapable of protecting us from the cold, dam]) north winds that had 
begun to blow down the Savannah ri\'er, and some days it was very 
severe, for we got barely enough wood to do our cooking. 

About that time we learned that our government had arranged for tlie 
exchange of ten thousand sick and wounded, after first exchanging the 
marines. Accordingly, about the 15th of November, a well-dressed, 
hearty-looking set of confederates, made their appearance in the sentry 
perches around the top of the stockade, wlio said they were the men 
sent there by the federal government to be exchanged for the ten thousand 
sick and wounded ; that there were but few sick in the northern ]M-isons, 
and that they had been up north fattening uj), and that their govern- 
ment would now exchange, and that they would all go into the ranks 
able for effective duty, while we never would lie able to do service. On 
the evening of the 17th of November they began to parole us, there 
being at that time one hundred and eighteen of us in that 
prison hospital, and we had so improved that we could walk 
fairly well. Some time after midnight they got through paroling us, 
and we went to our quarters but could not sleep, we were so haj^ipy over 
the prospect of release. On the morning of the i8th we were taken 
out and down to the wharf and put on a transport, v^-hen we started down 
the river. A few of us had not given much credence to the report of 
exchange, on account of many former deceptions practiced on us, but 
when about noon we came near to Fort Pulaski, and caught sight of 
'Old Glory,' the loved stars and stripes, floating over tlie federal steamer 
New York, our feelings were such that no imagination could conceive. 
Eyes were flooded with tears and our hearts seemed ready to burst with 
the joy that filled them: and when we stepped beneath tliat dear old flag, 
for which we had dared to offer ourselves a lis-ing sacrifice, we could not 
u 



282 PRISON LIFE. 

cheer, but we sank down into quiet weeping, thankful for escape from 
our living tombs. We were provided with good food and taken down to 
our steamers, tlie Baltic and the Atlantic, and were put on board the 
Atlantic, where we were well cared for and provided with everything 
needed for our comfort. We remained anchored there until Tuesday, 
the 22d, when the steamers had received their cargo of living freight and 
then sailed for Annapolis, Md., arriving there on the 25th. Those able 
were sent to Camp Parole, while the others were sent to the hospital, 
thence to their regiments, or to their homes for discharge." 

The author of this work desires to add to this account, as an instance 
of the sad results of the horrors of prison life, the subsequent historj- 
of comrade Matlick, who went into the war vigorous and healthy. Me 
arrived home near Tunnelton, Preston county, ^Vest Virginia, Decem- 
ber 18, 1S64, just one year from the time he was captured, and was dis- 
charged from the service Jan. 12, 1865. In February, he went to Clark 
county. Mo., and bought a farm and applied himself to that calling. 
He returned to Preston county. West Virginia, in November, 1866, and 
was married to Miss Maggie A. Falkenstein, returning to his farm in 
Missouri in February following. Owing to the exposures and hardships 
endured while on the marches, raids, in camj), and in his long imprison- 
ment, he could not rally sufficiently to stand the labor of farming, and 
broke down completely in 1869, and could hardly exist, to say nothing 
of work, in the next five years. In 1872, this man, who had suffered 
untold horrors, a dozen deaths, was granted the sum of $8 per month as 
a pension, from date of discharge. Recovering partially in 1873, ^^^^ 
engaged in merchandising in Scotland county. Mo., in 1874, and re- 
mained at it until 1884, by which time his constitution had become so 
racked and weakened from the effects of his army life, that he broke 
completely down, and became subject to violent spasms, so much so that 
he became a charge to his family. In September, 1886, he removed 
with his family, wife and four children, to Kirksville, Mo., where the 
latter could have the advantage of good schools. His pension was 
raised from time to time, until at last fair justice was done in 1887, by 
increasing it to $50 per month. In all these years of married life, a 
noble wife has ministered to his every want, and now 
when the cursed seeds of Andersonville cruelty have developed into 
the full growth of physical ruin, she is a tower of strength to him, and 
as loyal as in those stormy days of the early sixties, when in her West Wx- 
ginia home, she cheered him as he went to protect the flag, and received 
him as one from the dead, on his return from the blasting breath of 
prison life. Reader of this, when you hear thoughtless people minify 
the work and sufferings of the volunteer of 1861-65, reflect a moment, 
then ask yourself if you would care to accept the life of suffering for the 
pitiful pay received, or rather if it was not a service of the loftiest pa- 
triotism and sublimest courage. 



CHAPTER XX. 



ESCAPE FROM PRISON. 




V THE close of the advance of Gen. David Hunter on Lynch- 
burg, Va., in June 1S64, a detail was made of a few men whose 
term of service was about to expire, who were directed to 
take the advance of the troops placed in command of the v/agon train, 
v/hich was ordered to be sent back to the Kanawha valley, in advance 
of the main column. In this detail were Martin V. Sweet, First New 
York Cavalry; Joseph H. Anderson, First New Jersey Cavalry; 
Horace Penniman, First Maryland Infantry; and Frank S. 
Reader, Fifth West Virginia Cavalry, who were captured, and after- 
ward associated in an escape to the union lines. This detail was the 
advance of the troops that guarded the train, and as well did a 
great deal of scouting on their own account, securing a number of fine 
horses, a large quantity of forage, and cleared the immediate section of 
the marauding bands that hovered in the rear of Hunter's army. When 
near the head of the Kanawha valley, the advance had considerable 
fighting with small bands of the enemy, and we held our own against all 
comers, and pressed steadily forward, until we came to the river near 
Lewisburg. Here, while about a mile in advance of the main column, 
the latter was attacked by a force of the enemy, our little party was cut 
off from the command, and for two days was hunted and driven by 
sleepless foes. We endeavored to regain our lines, but were unable to 
do so, being forced to follow a road into a little town by the name of 
Liberty. When we attempted to pass out of this place, we found three 
of its four roads guarded by confederate horsemen, who quietly took 
our measure, ready for fight or chase. A road was left open, however, 
leading to the White Sulphur (Greenbrier) Springs, which we followed. 
As we passed beyond the town, in fording a small stream, a body of 
cavalry came dashing upon us, and demanded our surrender. Finding 
that we were outnumbered, and that we must either surrender or escape 
by a dash into the mountains, we chose the latter, and put spurs to our 



284 ESCAPE EROM PRISON. 

horses, when they phinged through the waters, and carried us into the 
depths of the mountains, followed by a storm of bullets. W'e could not 
stand and fight, as none of the party had arms fit for use, on account of 
the want of cartridges, the entire party not having a half dozen all told. 
In a severe little fight the day before, all our stock was used up, anil be- 
ing cut off we could not replenish. It was a ilay full of adventures, as 
we, by feints and threatenings, tried to keep our pursuers at bay. 
Toward evening v/e eluded them and spent the night in the great moun- 
tains. In the morning we abandoned our horses, and under the leader- 
ship of Reader, the little band undertook to make its way to Beverly, by 
a route he had before passed over. Toward noon, as we were quietly 
walking along, faint from hunger, we were surprised by a company of 
cavalry charging squarely upon us, and wc were prisoners of war, our 
capture occurring June 20, 1864. 

Our first experience as prisoners was a long, tiresome march, hurry- 
ing at times through the narrijw valleys, and again secreting ourselves 
amid the hills, until we reached Covington, where we were commtted to 
jail, being lodged together in a small cell. A few days here, and our 
little squad was put in line of march for Lexington. The burning of the 
Military Institute there by General Hunter's command, had provoked 
the wrath of the citizens, and they threatened vengeance on any of the 
soldiers of Hunter's army who might fall into their hands. We knew 
this and were somewhat apprehensive over it. Upon our arrival in the 
town, we were placed in the ui)])er room of a store-house, where we had 
a full viev/ of the street and surroundings. Toward evening a large and 
noisy crowd of citizens assembled in front of the building, and a demand 
went up from the crowd for the Yankees. ^Ve in-quired as to their pur- 
poses, when one of the excited number cried out that they wanted to 
hang us for burning their houses. We were then notified that it was 
necessary to search us, and we v/cre dejirived of everything we had ex- 
cept the scanty clothes we wore. This ceremony over, our attention 
was again called to the cry from the street. It became quite stormy, 
and we had become serious over the matter. Staring death in the face 
in this manner was new to us. r^ach of us had many times braved the 
storm of battle; but it was the first time that we ha'J had the prospect of 
getting a rope seriously around our necks. Seeing that there was real 
danger of violence from the citizens, the commander of the post ordered 
out a strong guard, and by it we were conducted to the jail, and there 
securely locked in a strong cell. Our new (piarters were not a success 
in the way of comfort. It was a small cell and it was crowded full. 
We remained in here about twenty-four hours, unable to rest or sleep, 
when the order came to get in readiness for a march. Our destination 
was first the city of Lynchburg, thence Andersonville. LTpon leaving 
Lexington, the guards were instructed to watch us closely, and if any 
prisoner attempted to escape^ to shoot him. The march was a hard one 



ESCAPE FROM PRISON. 285 

in the fearful heat of tlie sun, witliout food, until we reached the bank 
of the Viri^inia and Ohio canal in the evenintj;, when a little flour was 
given us, out of which we matlc a few "flapjacks." The next day we 
were put aboard a canal boat, and thus carried to Lynchburg. 

Upon our arrival in that city on the evening of the ist of July, we 
were conducted from the canal to our first regular prison house. This 
consisted of an old tobacco warehouse, fdthy in the extreme, and totally 
unfit for the habitation of human beings. The amount of room was 
inadequate to the number of persons incarcerated, and the consequence 
was that sick, wounded and healthy ])risoners were stowed away together, 
regardless of their condition. The first thing that attracted our atten- 
tion upon entering the lower room of the building, was a sight revolting 
and horrible. .\ number of sick persons lay together, crowded into a 
corner, where the poor fellows were suffering terribly. There was no 
friendly hand to relieve them, and no help of any kind, except the mis- 
erable comfort afforded by their fellow prisoners. Many of them lay in 
their own filth, dirty, ragged, haggard, the very pictures of despair. Our 
entrance but addctl to their misery. They were already crowded too 
much, and now, that place had to be made for us, they were crowded 
still more, until the appealing looks from their poor, weak eyes drove 
their well comrades to suffer anything rather than add to their discom- 
fort. There was but little rest or sleep, and the suffering was severe on 
the part of the most robust. 

We remained liere until the 3d of the month, when most of the well 
prisoners were removed to another building, a tobacco warehouse, 
located in the heart of the city, which was a great improvement over 
the first quarters. There were about 700 prisoners all told, confined in 
this building, and so far as circumstances would admit, were a jolly set 
of felhjws. One of our first acts, was for a few choice spirits to get to- 
gether and plan an escape for the evening of July 4th. Our desire was 
to pass the guards and strike for the Blue Ridge Mountains, and follow 
that range until we should reach the union lines. When we attempted 
to pass the guards we found a double line around the prison and we 
were ordered back, with the threat of close confinement if we were again 
found out at night. Six attempts were made to get away from this 
prison, but we were always foiled in some way. It was at this time that 
our party of four determined that we would never permit ourselves to be 
taken to the prison pens of Georgia, but would try to escape every time 
we saw a possible chance. By this we stood and never faltered. We 
passed nineteen days in Lynchburg prisons, and had little complaint to 
make, except that which came from most confederate prisons, the want 
of food. The supply we received here was totally unfit for food and in- 
sufficient for our wants, and there were but few that were not affected by 
it. Violent diarrhcoas, utter prostration and emaciation, and a weakness 
that was a intiable sight, were some of the fruits that attested to our 



2 86 ESC ATE EROM PRISON. 

treatment. Tlierc was but little cruelty beyond that of depriving us of 
what we needed to support life. Lynchburg was but a fraction in the 
sum total of suffering in i)rison life, and not unlike that of the other 
l)risons in the south. 

On the morning of July 19th, we were ordered to get reaily for a trip 
to Georgia. In due time we were marched (nit and counted off, when 
230 persons were taken from our prison and 270 from another, making 
in all 500 poor creatures bound for what we regardeti as a living tomb. 
At the station we were given each about three -fourths of a pound of 
wheat bread, as our rations for the day. Soon we were aboard the cars, 
and after a very tiresome ride, reached Burkesville Junction about 6 
o'clock p. M. Here we were taken from the cars and marched to a 
camping place a few rods distant, there to remain until the arrival of a 
train from Richmond, which was to take us to Andersonville. The train 
came up presently, but it was some minutes before we got into it, and 
we had ample time to examine the cars, and see if they offered any hope 
for a way of escape. Tliey were baggage cars, with a large door on 
each side, at each of which two guards were stationed. Our little party 
of four held a council (jf war, and briefly discussed the best means of 
getting out of the cars while on the way. \Ve agreed ujjon a desperate 
venture, full of jjcril, and if unsuccessful, was almost certain death to 
us. It was, that each of the four shoukl sit n.ear one of the guards and, 
at a given signal, be ready to leap from the cars with him, and then trust 
to our skill and strength in overcoming him and making our escape. 
^\^e had already agreed on a point at which we should leap from the 
train. It was about 20 miles south of IJurkesville Junction, on the Dan- 
ville road, from which we could reach our lines at Petersburg, Va., by 
travelling about 120 miles in a direct line, northeast direction, ^\'e had 
a small map from which we had traced our course, and from whicli all 
our plans had been made. 

Penniman and Reader were selected to ascertain the best way to ac- 
complish our purpose. While doing this. Sweet and Anderson entered 
one of the cars and found some boards loose on the left side of the car 
at the rear end. In the confusion and noise then existing, they forced 
these boards off and made a hole large enough for a man to crawl or 
jump, through, without much difliculty. Having done this they con- 
cluded that this affordetl a better and safer means of escape than the 
guard capturing scheme. In the meantime the other two were arranging 
for the other |)lan, and had agreed upon where they should sit and how 
they were to operate, when their attention was attracted by their names 
being called in a whisper by their comrades. Immediately they joined 
each other, when the hole in the car was shown them, the new plan 
explained and agreed upon, and we gathered around the oi)ening, which 
the evening shadows obscured from the guards inside and outside. 

In front of us were the four guards, sittinir with their 2;uns in their 



ESCAPE FROM PRISON. 287 

hands, and in the dim liglit permitted in the car, narrowly watching every 
movement on the part of the prisoners. On the top of each car were 
four other guards, watching for any that might try to escape, and in the 
rear car was a company of others to relieve those then on duty. The 
guards were quite communicative at times, freely talking to us about the 
country and other subjects that were valuable to us in the escape. They 
told us the names of the stations as we passed along, and about 9 o'clock 
we stopped at a station beyond which we intended to make our leaj). 
While leaving here quietly and slowdy the guards become quiet and still- 
ness reigned in the car. Outside, however, the clatter of the wheels and 
the patter of the rain, which was now steadily falling, drowned all the 
noise we could make. The train was running about ten miles i)er hour 
and we were nearing the point fixed for our leap. One of the boys peered 
into the darkness, when he was startled by the gleam of a bayonet. 
Hanging down over the side of the car, was the gun of one of the guards 
who was seated on top, with the bayonet fixed, and the reflection of the 
dull light from the inside of the car, on its bright surface, gave us a view 
of it far from being comfortable. The chances now were, that in getting 
from the car, we would disturb this guard, who could alarm the rest on 
the top of the train, and have it stopped in time to follow us. We de- 
cided to go ahead and run the risk. Once out of the train and in the 
woods, we would have a fair chance for escape, which was all that we 
asked. 

We were now about half way between two stations, and the guards 
were doubled up against the closed doors resting, and listening when any 
undue noise occurred. One of them was facing us but a few feet 
distant, and had been keeping a sharp eye on us, but was now more in- 
tent on getting a good rest. His gun was leaning forward almost within 
reach of us, and we could at the same time with one hand almost reach 
a gun on the outside of the car, and with the other almost touch one on 
the inside of the car. We were hedged about with guns, and when the crit- 
ical moment came, w^e looked into each other's faces inquiringly, trying 
to read the determination of each in this testing hour. There was no 
weakness on the part of either, but the word was passed, "do or die." 
Sweet w\as selected to take the lead and first leave the car. At the pro- 
per moment the word was passed to him from his comrades, to jump, 
and he leaped from the car into the pitchy darkness and rain. Hastily 
following went Anderson, plunging into the bushes, and next Reader, 
who fell into the mud, under the edge of the train, the wheels almost 
grazing his head, while last of all went Penniman, alighting close to the 
end of a stone abutment. Our escape seemed to be unobserved, as there 
waF no alarm of any kind given, and the train went on its way, leaving 
the four alone in the edge of the woods. As soon as the train had 
passed, \\o rushed together, and clasped hands, congratulating each 
other on our success thus far. We found that we had alighted from the 



288 ESCAPE EROM PRISON. 

car within the distance of about one lunulred )ar(ls from wliere the first 
and last of the squad had readied the i^round. 

An inventory of our stock of L^oods. showed us ])osscssed of one jack 
knife, one clay I'ipe, one cond:), two ])ounds of smoking tobacco, 
scraped from the floor of the Lynchburg prison, and we ought to have 
had one block of matches, which cost us one cent per match, but it was 
lost in getting out of the car. We began to (bscuss the best way to ])ro- 
ceed, when we were surprised by a light at a liousc a few yards from us, 
followed by the voice of some one, e\identl\' looking for us, as he had 
doubtless heard our voices. \\'c haslil}' stepi)cd under the cover of the 
trees, where we could not be seen, and v.-atched the place until all be- 
came quiet again, and we were safe from dangei" in this direction. We 
had learned from the guards and our little ma]), that Petersburg, the ])oint 
aimed at by us, was in a northeast direction from where we had left the 
train, but how to get started in the right direction, was a j^roblem we 
could not solve. Not a star was visible, nor could anvthing else be 
seen but the faces of the anxious fugitives, as ihcy stood in earnest con- 
sultation. 15ut to stay in this i)Iacc was to invite recapture, and we de- 
cided to go in some direction and trust to our usual good fortune for a 
favorable result. Sweet was unanimously selected leader of this forlorn 
hope, as he was admirably fitted for such a duty, and he accepted the 
post of honor. A rough guess was made as to which direction north 
was, and then we struck off through the woods at a rapid gait, but were 
soon checked by the thick undergrowth of bushes and briers, into which 
we plunged, sometimes sprawling at full length as we became entangled 
in the vines and briers. An hour's experience of this sort of travelling 
was enough to wear us out, and our ])rogrcss was very slow. l)is- 
heartened, tired and hungry, we sat down on a log, in the midst of a 
dense forest, not knowing whither we weie going. The rain drops were 
falling from the boughs of the trees, the wind occasionally moaned 
through their branches, and behind us we could hear the rundjling of 
the cars we had left about two h.ours before, a combination of sounds 
that did not produce harmon}- to our minds. Presently the clouds 
parted, and a mellow light diffused itself thrcMigh the trees, and peeping 
forth from behind the great clouds, the stars blinked at us, and kept at 
it so persistently, that our spirits rose. We found an oi)en sjjace in the 
woods, and when the clouds hail ])assed further away, the dipper met our 
gladdened eyes, and the pointers l)ade us see the North star, shedding 
its sweet light ui)on us. The countenance of a friend could not ha\'e 
imparted more cheerfulness than did tliat ])olar star, which seemed to 
say to us — ^"Follow me and you are safe." 

With renewed courage v/e went forward, and after we had walked as 
we supposed about an hour, emcMged fror.i the woods and reached a 
plantation. The first thing done there was to hunt something to eat, 
but as there were no blacks in sight, we deemed it unsafe to venture near 



ESCAPE FROM PRISON. 289 

the house, and entered a patch of potatoes instead. Here we found a 
small (piantity of peas in the pod, of which we ate, finishing our repast 
on the potatoes we dug fresh from the ground. It was high living, as we 
had not enjoyed such a fresh, wholesome meal for weeks. We had not 
been long here when we heard voices at the house and some one calling 
a dog. As we hurried outside the enclosure, some one gave the dog the 
word of command, and he came at us on a full run. We ran as quietly 
as wc 'could, passing around the lower end of the garden and up a 
ravine, hiding behind some bushes when the dog stopped. Nothing 
further occurring, we passed quietly on and came to an orchard which 
we entered. Here we found an abundance of small, green apples, to 
which we helped ourselves, eating them with great relish, and fdling our 
pockets for the next day. We i)ursued our journey, and soon were 
warned by the approach of dawn that great care must be exercised and 
a place of hiding found for the day. This place we soon found, located 
among some thick underbrush in the edge of a heavy wood, where we 
were secure from observation, but could see what was going on in the 
outside world. We had marched nearly all night, and were only about 
eight miles from where we started. We could yet hear trains passing on 
the road we had so unceremoniously left. Wc must have made a large 
circuit, as we certainly walked seven hours. This was fixed on our 
memory as one of the most terrible nights of our entire experience in 
life, but it was only the beginning of a series of such, now remembered 
as horrible nightmares. The quiet of our hiding place soon lulled us to 
sleep, and we slept soundly until broad daylight. We awoke with the 
sun brightening everything about us and very much refreshed. We had 
now before us a day of peril and anxiety, to avoid discovery by persons 
passing. We were greatly alarmed in the forenoon, when two men en- 
tered the woods and began choi)ping timber. They remained within a 
few rods of us all day and chopped away, unconscious of the i)rize within 
their reach. They ate their dinner in the woods, and how aggravating 
it was to us. Already suffering acutely from hunger, it increased our 
misery to see these men enjoying their dinner. 

Toward dark we ventured out from our hiding place, and walked 
through a part of the woods to see what prospect there was for a for- 
ward movement. It being too early to leave the woods with safety, we 
lay down under some bushes until after dark, then started for a house 
near at hand, but seeing no blacks about, we avoided the house and 
came out on the Petersburg pike, which we followed for some distance. 
Fearing that we might meet some one on the road, we turned off into the 
woods and kept under cover of the grand old oaks. The w\alking was 
similar to that of the night before. The vines and underbrush were so 
thick that it was almost impossible for us to keep on our feet, and every 
now and then we found ourselves plunging headlong into, a bunch of 
briers or clump of bushes, coming out of the scrape pretty well demor- 

V 



2 90 ESCAPE PROM PRISON. 

alized. A\'e had the advanta.ue of a bright clear ni!.,dit, whicli enaliled us 
to pick our way when the wood was not too dense, and the walk was 
thus rendered the less tiresome. llaxinL; the North star clearl\' in sight, 
we experienced no difhculty in keeping the riglit ccmrse. We had no 
adventures of any kind during the niglit, and had an uninlerrii[)led walk 
of fully six hours, making giMxl time and headway. 

When it was almost daylight we camped in a clump of thick bushes, 
where we remained all day, sleeping most of the time, and did not see a 
person outside of our |)art\'. ^\'e were hungr}- enough to eat almost 
anything, and our thirst was so intense as almost to madden us. We 
forgot it only when we fell asleep. Instead of cam])s, battle fields, 
jjrisons, short fare and ill treatment, we dreamed of our dear old homes, 
the happy scenes and sports of boyhood, and the well (IIIlmI tables of the 
land of plenty. Mow we entered into the enjoyment of this sweet \ision 
of peace, and reveled in the love and blessings afforded us there, ban- 
ishing sorrow, healing wounds, relieving hunger, and comforting us in 
our misery. But when the hour of awaking came, how different the 
surroundings. The intensity of suffering cannot be forgotten, nor can it 
be described. Toward evening we ventured from our hiding place, and 
in a short time took our first meal on the tramp. ^Ve saw a house a 
short distance from us, which we went as close to as we dared, and 
watched the opportunity to hail a friendly black. In a few minutes we 
heard one of them coming, singing one of their quaint and wierd planta- 
tion songs. A\'c never heard the measured singing or clianting of one of 
these songs of plantation life, without seeming to recognize in it the sad- 
ness and misery of a life of slavery, and a sense of pit}- was felt by each 
for the unfortunate slaves, ^'et with the degradation of this life, and, 
we would suppose, the blunting of their symjjath}-, and all feeling for 
others who might suffer, they entered into our feelings and expressed a 
sympathy for us, that was full of human kindness. More than this, tlu.'\- 
helped us whenever they dared to do so, and not once in all our wear\- 
efforts to escape, or in our entire army life, did they ever betra\- us. 

When the black came within hailing distance, wc called him to us. We 
stated to him our situation, and found him to be ([uite intelligent, and 
ready to do us a service, ^\'e informetl him we were union prisoners 
trying to escape, and asked his assistance in giving us something to eat 
and putting us on the best road to our lines. He cheerfully agreed to 
aid us and left to see his wife about it. In a short time they both re- 
turned, each bearing a plate of corn bread and fried bacon, and some 
vessels filled with milk. Ah, what a feast was that! A better su])per, 
we thought, we had never sat down to and it was eaten with a relish. 
Nearly three days of fasting and now we were feasting. Faithful friends 
were they. \Ve talked freely with them about our future jdans. and 
they gave us some advice that was valuable to us afterward, giving ex- 



ESCAPE EROM PRISON. 291 

Illicit (liix-ctions liow wc sh(juld i)rocee(l on our way, and with many 
words of clieer, licartily shook hands witli us and bade us good by. 

Wc puslicd on and as closely as possible followed their directions. 
We soon came to Nottaway river, and had a great deal of trouble cross- 
ing it. We had evidently taken a wrong road, which brought us to a 
broken-down bridge. By hard work we got across the stream and rested 
on its pretty banks. r3efore leaving the little river, we took a good 
drink, not kiKjwing when we should get another, as water was scarce in 
that section, except in these running streams. . We made but little pro- 
gress, as we were constantly bewildered, not knowing whether or not we 
were on the right road, passing over many miles of road and woods, but 
to very little purpose. ^Vc became tired towards morning, and lay down 
in the midst of a clump of tlwarf oak to await daylight, and the assist- 
ance of a friendly black. We soon fell asleep, and awoke on the morn- 
ing of the :?2d, feeling refreshed, and encouraged by the fact that we 
had escaped recapture for sixty hours, and began to feel confident that 
we would be successful in getting home to our friends. We spent a part 
of the day in what we called "skirmishing," consisting in cleaning our 
clothes and persons of the vermin with which we had become covered in 
jM-ison. 'I'hese dirty pests, together with the little black gnats and mus- 
quilocs \\y.il filled llie woods, rendered our situation extremely disagree- 
able. Ir. order tcj hide ourselves from the eyes of any who might pass 
through the woods, we had to confine ourselves to a compass of perhaps 
twenty feet, from daylight until dark, and be annoyed by the vermin and 
insects, li was a miserable day. We would occasionally be able to 
get a feu' u:inulcs' sleep, but it was generally troubled by dreams of the 
scenes through wliich we had passed, and we would awake tired and 
unrefreshed. 

Wc struck out about nine o'clock in the evening and made our way to 
the edge of the woods we were in, when Sweet started in the direction 
of some houses to see what chance there was for something to cat. He 
first encountered a warlike hog, which grunted and snorted at him until 
he was compelled to hide among the trees, for fear the noise would be- 
tray his presence. He again went toward the houses and attracted the 
attention of a negro boy, who took to his heels very much frightened. 
By considerable persuasion he was quieted, and we got him to come to 
us. \\'e asked him about affairs at the houses, but the little fellow was 
sus])ici(His, and v/ould say nothing until he went and saw his mother, 
telling her erf the presence of strangers, when she came to us inquiring 
what we wished. We told her who we were and what we wanted, but 
she was afraid at first to trust us. The slaves had become notorious as 
aids and guides to escaping unionists, and the confederates were in the 
habit of dressing themselves in the garb of union soldiers, when they 
would pretend to be escaping prisoners, in order to find out who among 
the slaves helped such persons. She was afraid we were of that kind of 



2 92 ESCAPE EROM PRISON. 

spies, and was loth to \\^\\) us, but we soon convinced her that we were 
union ])risoners tleeini; from ])rison. We then asked licr for food when 
she invited us into her house. We sat down in her rude cabin, where 
she baked us some excellent corn bread, in the red hot wood coals, and 
fried us the last bacon she had in the house. It was a dish iU for a 
I)rince, and there never was a set of belated fellows so fortunate as we 
were. With this food and plenty of sweet milk, hunger was soon satis- 
fied, and we were ready for a night's tramj). We bade her good bye, 
started on our journey, accompanied by one of her boys, whom she sent 
to guide us a few miles. We crossed the Nottoway river and followed 
the Dinwiddie road, pushing on t(j a large gate, where our guide left us. 

We had been cautioned by our black frientls, that if we met confed- 
erate soldiers, or citizens, on the road, in small numbers, to say noth- 
ing to them but pass right on. They said there were a great many de- 
sertions from the confederate army, and that the deserters would not 
disturb us if we let them alone, but that if interrupted, they would likely 
give us trouble. It was a fortunate bit of advice, and we had occasion 
to profit by it this night. . We met two armed persons, dressed like con- 
federate soldiers, so far as we could tell, who paid not the slightest atten- 
tion to us, but walked gravely on as if they were alone in the workl. 
We set them down at once as deserters, but what they took us for we 
never learned. From this on we had a difficult time to keep on the 
right road after all the good instruction given us. We walked once 
about two miles out of our way, bringing up near a plantation house, 
and had to retrace our steps and take a new start. We then followed 
the highway some distance, and got on the wrong road, which almost 
led us to recapture. We turned aside into an orchard to get some apples, 
where we filled our pockets for next day's eating, and decided to go 
into camp. But upon looking about us we were surprised to see about 
twenty fine horses grazing in the orchard, and, as the surroundings 
looked suspicious, we decided to go into the depths of a heavy pine 
forest on the right of the road. We camijcd under a thick clump of the 
great jagged trees, a lonely place, surrounded on all sides by huge pines, 
which we found secure enough for our purpose. 

W'hen daylight appeared, Penniman made a reconnoisance through 
the woods, to ascertain our whereabouts. He returned in about an 
hour, with the information that he had been conversing with a slave, 
who told him we were within a mile of a confederate camp, which was 
directly behind the orchard that we thought of stopping in, near a place 
called Blacks and Whites. The horses we had seen belonged to the 
officers in the camp. This was startling intelligence to us, and we did 
, not need the caution of our black friend to keep very quiet. Occasion- 
ally we could hear sounds coming from the camp, the calls of a bugle 
telling us plainly enough that we had no friends in that (piarter. We 
put in the time until evening eating the green apples we had picked, and 



ESCAPE FROM PRISON. 293 

in low conversation, with occasional naps of sleep, which were necessar- 
ily shortened by the persistent attacks of the gnats and inus(!uitoes. 
When his day's work was finished, and night came, the black joined us 
and guided us to a plantation about two miles distant. Upon nearing 
the house, he bade us lie down close to a large spring of water and 
await his return, when he would bring us our supper. It was a delight- 
ful place, where we quenched our thirst and rested beneath some stately 
trees. We remained here perhajjs an hour, when another black ap- 
proached, and announced himself as our guide for the next few miles. 
He had us secrete ourselves in some bashes near by, where we waited 
until he went and got our supper. In a short time he and his wife made 
their appearance, with an excellent repast both in quality and quantity. 
Supper over, and we were ready to resume our journey. The good old 
woman, black and ignorant as she was, did us all the service she could, 
and as we parted, wrung our hands and bade us a hearty God speed. 

Her husband took the lead and told us to follov/ him closely. He 
went on a swinging, rapid walk, through the woods and bushes, over 
stumps and logs, leading us into several falls and plunges into the bushes, 
but all the while making a bee line for the point he wished to reach. 
Finally he stopped at a cross roads, leaving the camp at Blacks and 
Whites in our rear. Here he left us, directing us to some cabins to the 
left, where we would get another guide. He had proved himself a true 
friend, and we parted from him with regret. Upon reaching the cabins 
of the slaves to which directed, we knocked at the door of one of them, 
and were admitted with a cordial welcome. One sprightly young fellow 
volunteered to guide us to a point some nine miles distant, thus enabling 
him to return in time to get some sleep. Several of the blacks were 
awakened, who gathered about us, all shaking hands as we extended 
ours to them, gratitied to meet some of the union soldiers. They were 
full of sympathy for us, and offered anything they had that would add 
to our comfort. Our guide led us a lively race for about eight miles, 
following a path through the woods. He was constantly on the alert, 
and was apprehensive of the presence near us of some of the enemy, and 
it required all our skill and urging to keep him with us. 

We had gone perhaps about eight miles, when we had an adventure 
that threatened to be serious, but jjroved to be laughable. A foraging 
train of the confederates was in camp on the side of the road a short 
distance ahead of us, but of course we knew nothing of it until we 
reached it. When nearly to it we were halted by two armed men, evi- 
dently on guard duty, who saw only the black and Anderson, who were 
in advance, the rest of us several yards behind them. When they saw 
the rest of our squad coming up in single file and in good order, they 
broke into the woods on a full run, not waiting long enough even to fire 
an alarm. We heard one of them in a few minutes call to the other, 
and we went silently on our way. It was an astonishing occurrence to 



294 ESCAPE EROM PIUSON. 

us. 'I'licv imisl liavc llioiiL^lil tluil a wliolc company wai advancing, and 
that the best tliini.^ for them to do was to j^et out of tlie way. It was a 
slight to see our ])oor guide. ile was badly demoraUzed and scared, 
but we (luietcd him down, Ihougli we were nearly as badly frightened as 
he was. A\'e ste|)ped a^;ide into the woods and continued (Mir walk, 
cautiously looking in every ilircction. Iri a few minutes we were right 
in the midst of a train of foraging wagons, and had no time to lecover 
ourselves or retrace our steps. .Several learns were standing together, 
and in most of the wagons the teamsters were stretched out asleep, but, 
standing at the end of one of the wagons, was one fellow that wasn't 
asleep. 1 le was v>ide awake, and was trying to get something out of 
the wagon. Ile being occupied gave us our chance, and we cpiietly 
steppeil behind some trees and awaited the fellow's good ])Ieasure. He 
went to the (jther end of the train presentl}', and we moved oU out of 
sight. We sui)i)oscd that the fellows who took to the v/ootls belonged 
to this train, and were either on guard duty or just coming into camp. 
\\'e lieard no more of them, but supjjose they stO])ped somewhere long 
enough to tell oi what a mighty host of Yankees had driven them inttj the 
wootls. 

We struck off to the right of the train, and ailvanced about a mile, 
when we stoppetl for consultation. ( )ur guide begged to be relieved 
from further duty, and as we did not want to subject the jjoor fellow to 
further danger, we dismissed him. As a reward for his ser\'ices. Reader 
gave hiui his vest, the one ;-emaining relic of civilized life in the l)arty, 
which he carried off in trium])h. We went to a safe distance irom the 
train and settled tlown f(;r the next da}-, the :;5th. It was an nn- 
eventful one, nothing occurring that gave us any concern. We 
found that we had camped in the midst of a berry ])atch, where 
there was any quantity of huckleberries and some blackberries. Of 
these we ate freely and heartily. Toward evening the rain began to 
pour down in a steady stream, drenching us thoroughly, and we were 
fnially driven from our shelter, passing through the woods, and 
bringing up at a tobacco drying house in the clearing. Here we were 
sheltered from the rain, but were in full view of some houses that were 
about half a mile distant, across some fields. We saw some of the folks 
in the houses, but none came near us, so we were not disturbed, .\fter 
dark we went into the open place to look for something to eat. It was 
Reader's turn tcj go to a house antl he advanced for that ]Miri)ose, when 
he suddenly came close to a woman, who evidently lived in one of tlie 
houses. Not being anxious to form her accjuaintance, he asked some 
fjuestions of her and retired to the woods. As no further notice was 
taken of him, it is probable the woman did not suspect who he was. 

W^e left this neighborhood, and passing through another v/ood, v.-e came 
to a large plantation, upon which there v/as a fine residence and other 
evidences of thrift. Anderson went toward the house to hunt something 



ESCAPE EROM PRISOiY. =95 

to eat, and attracted the attention of a black and brous^dit liini to us. 
^\'e <iuer,tioned him all about our location, our proximity to Dinwiddie 
Court House, and the nearest road to it, and then asked him to get us 
something to eat. He very intelligently gave us all tlie information we 
needed, but on the all absorbing question of eatables, he was compelled 
to deny us. He said that there were four confederate officers at the 
house who were to be waited \\\)Ox\, and it would be im])ossible for him 
to get us anything without discovery. He offered to do all in his power 
for us, and took us into a stable, where there were four fine horses, 
owned by the officers, saddled and bridled ready for use, which we 
miglit take, and lie would not inform on us. It was a great temptati(m, 
but we could not consider it for a moment, as by doing this, we would 
have to pass through Dinwiddie Court House, the only available road 
being through there, where a regiment of confecierate cavalry was sta- 
tioned. These facts we learned from the black, who advised us to try 
it on foot a while longer, and gave us clear directions for avoiding the 
troops at Dinwiddie, and making our way to Petersburg. He put us on 
the way to the road, and left us then to our own resources. We got on 
the road at the scene of tlie previous night's adventures, but the wagon 
train had left, not leaving a sign that it had ever been there, exce])t 
the torn d.own fences, tlie rains having obliterated all marks of 
tlie wagons and horses. The rain was j^ouring down, the roads 
became so slippery that we could scarcely walk, and it was so 
dark that we could not see where we were going, or see each other, and 
we kept together by the sound of our voices. We went a mile, ])erhai)s, 
through this intense darkness, when finding it almost impossible to go 
further, we took shelter under a tree, liuddling close together, and wait- 
ing patiently for the cessation of the rain. The air was cool and our 
suftering became very severe. The rain drojis fell from the branches and 
leaves, chilling us through, every drop seeming to penetrate the flesh, 
and soon we were shaking with the chills that seized upon us. We be- 
came almost unable to move, and were benumbed and sore, and when 
we attempted to walk, found it a jiainful effort. T.ut we couldn't stay 
ther-r, so we struck off througli the woods, and ]^resenlly found that we 
were lost in the great woods. We retraced our steps as best we could, 
and by groping and feeling our way back, arrived at the road, which we 
then closely followed. 

The rain having partially ceased after walking some distance, we were 
soon al)le to reach open ground, and had not gone far when we saw 
lights to our left iirocceding from houses. To these we made our way 
and found them to be some negro cabins, at the door of one of which we 
knocked, and entreated the inmates to permit us to enter and vv-arm our- 
selves. They oj-ened the door, and tohl us to be seated near the fire, 
when they heaped on wood, and soon had a blazing fire, in front of 
which we sat and warmed our chilled bodies. There was not a morsel 



296 ESCAPE PROM J'/i/SON. 

to eat in the lioiise. so the\' could not accoininodalc us in this way. A 
black from another jjlantation was \isiting at this place, and told us 
that if we would go with him, lie would give us something to cat, and a 
good fire to warm and rest bw We accepted his invitation and started 
with him. Me took us about three miles through the woods, bringing uj) 
in front of a long row of cabins. He led us into a workshoj), closed 
the door, and told us to keej:) very cjuiet while he made preparations for 
us in his calun. In a few minutes after leaving us he returned and took 
us with him, giving us a place before a blazing fire. He then went to 
work and cooked us an excellent meal of corn bread and bacon. By the 
time we had finished, day was breaking, and he told us we would be 
safer now in the woods, and went with us to find a secure hiding place. 
Wc jjassed through an orchard, picking up some of the ajiples, and 
found a safe place not far from the cabins. He told us that he would return 
to us in the evening, and guide us a few miles that night, and then we 
were left to ourselves. The day was clear and bright, and the sun soon 
warmed us and dried our clothing. While nothing occurred of a start- 
ling nature, the day was one of much anxiety to us. Confederate cav- 
alry in squads passed us frequently, and as we lay within a few rods of 
the road, we had a good view of them. Several times we were ver\' 
much frightened by the near approach of the h(jrsemen, some of whom 
seemed as if they must know wc were hidden there, by the manner in 
which thev rode t(nvards us, in some cases being within a few feet of us. 
But the bushes hid us from them. A wagon train also ])assed, and there 
was enough going on, in connection with the vigorous attacks of mus- 
quitos and gnats, to kcej) us awake and vigilant. 

As soon as it was dark enough, our friend came to us with a good 
supper, and he then said he was ready to guide us a short distance, and 
led us a few miles, leaving us at a i)lank road which led to Din- 
widdle, giving us directions for the night. 

We had not gone far when a turn in the road found us in the midst of 
another wagon ti'ain. AVe could see that the wagons were loaded with 
provisions, but we were too much alarmed by the unexpected turn affairs 
liad taken, to think of foraging on our own account. Every person 
about tlie train was asleep, and we were not observed. A\'e retraced 
our ste|)s, and made a circuit through the woods around the train, until 
we had safely passed all danger. Wc pushed forward ra])idly, and by 
the time tliis little adventure had lieen forgotten, we encountered another 
wagon cam]), in wliich all the teamsters were not asleep. The train was 
a large one, heavily loaded with hay and produce. Before wc realized 
our position, we were among the wagons, and, wc^rse than all, in the 
presence of one of the teamsters, who was busy working about a team. 
He barely si)oke to us, and being intent on his own business, paid no 
further attention to us. A\'e hurried along until we were at a safe dis- 
tance. This thing of running into these wagon trains had become 



ESCAPE FROM PRISON. 297 

monotonous, and we deterniined to keep in the woods, thouj^h we woukl 
thus make shnver time. We observed this caution for a while, but pres- 
ently ventured out on the road again. 

We had not gone far when we were startled by the sound of horses ap- 
proaching us. We stepi)ed back into the woods out of sight, and 
watched the approach of the new danger. A squad of cavalry cantered 
along the road, passing us almost near enough to strike us with their 
sabres. A\'e barely had time enough to get out of their way. Fortu- 
nately they did not see us, or our adventures as escaping prisoners 
would have come to an end. They went on their way, and left us in 
some embarrassment as to what course next to take. From the descrijj- 
tion given us by our black friend, we felt satisfied we were close to 
Dinwiddle, and that the utmost caution must be observed. Turning 
down over the hill to our left, we came to Stony Creek, which passes 
near the town, and lay down on its banks for a short time. We had 
not lain there long, when we were aroused by a terrific noise, coming 
apparently from across the stream. We were on our feet in an instant, 
and though the clatter was kept up for some time, we could not discover 
what it was. It was sufficient to impel us to move forward, and we 
walked along the creek a short distance until we heard voices. \Ve got 
under cover and soon ascertained that we were near the bridge that 
crossed the creek on the road tlrat we had been traveling, and that it 
was g^uarded. At the lime we heard the vf)iccs a relief was being put 
on, as near as we could understand, and when this was done, no sountl 
was heard but the murmur of the waters in the creek. Our intention 
was to cross the bridge, as we did not expect to find it guarded, but we 
could not do that, so we went into a jiiece of woods near at hand, and 
put up for the day. 

^Vx were more exjioscd during this day than anv ])lacc we had yet 
stopped. A few small bushes were all that kept us from the view of 
l)assersby. Persons were constantly ])assing on the road a few rods 
distant, but none fiiscovered us. Near us on the creek was a mill that 
kept up a great deal of noise, which was in our favor, drowning what- 
ever noise we made. Tlie day was thus passed, with but very little 
sleep, and not a morsel to eat. About dark we left our little camp and 
went to the creek, finding a crossing place near tlie mill. Once over 
the creek, we climbed a little bluff and went into the woods, stop])ing 
near some houses. Sweet and Penniman went to the houses and 
secured a black, who came to us, and witli whom we had a long talk. 
We were concerned about getting past Dinwiddle, the most dangerous 
place on the route until v>'e should get near our lines. He agreed to 
guide us around the town, and leave us where we could proceed safely 
without the services of a guide. A\'e followed after him, and felt jjcr- 
fectly safe as long as he kept before us. Me was \'ery cautious and 
careful and would not pass any exposed place without first carefully ex- 
vv 



298 ESCAPE PROM PRISON. » 

amining it, and satisfying himself that the way was clear. We passed 
the guards with but little trouble, and went around the town, keeping to 
the right, and avoiding the troops that were encamped in the place. 
Our guide left us at the edge of a wood, after explaining to us what 
direction we should take. We went into the woods and became lost, 
traveling for some time in a circle, and finally emerging from the woods 
at the place we entered. This was decidedly provoking, but we enjoyed 
a hearty laugh over it, and started in again. This time we came out all 
right. We then followed the edge of the woods for some distance, 
when we entered a pine forest, where the trees were so close together, 
that we could scarcely crowd through a part of it. ^Ve were walking 
along busily engaged in laying plans for future operations, when a shrill 
cry broke upon the stillness of the night, and caused the hair to rise on 
our heads. It sounded like the cry of a child in distress, but wc under- 
stood fully what it was, though we had never heard it before. Any of 
the readers of this who have had occasion to be much in a Virginia 
forest, remote from thick settlements, will not need to be told that it 
was the cry or scream of what is usually known as the wild cat or lynx. 
It followed us a short distance for an hour or more, emitting its piercing 
cries, and was a cause of terror to us, though no attempt was made to 
attack us. The next night we were folk)wed by it or anotlicr one, Tintil 
almost daylight, and then this annoyance ceased. 

Late in the night, as we were pushing rapidly forward, Sweet suddenly 
disappeared in our front. We couldn't imagine what had become of 
him, when one of us -called out: "Hello, Sweet; where are you?" "All 
right," was the response, "come on." Anderson was next, and after 
sliding a few feet on an inclined rock, went over the edge of it, the 
others of the party following fast and hard, all alighting in the mud, and 
barely missing a large number of rocks that were to our left. It gave 
us an opportunity for a hearty laugh, and we concluded to hunt a camp, 
as the night seemed to be full of mishaps and scares. We walked uj) a 
small hill, coming to an open space where there were a few houses. To 
these we went and tried to get something to eat, but it was a failure. 
Daylight was near at hand and it behooved us to hunt a hiding place. 
This we found without any trouble, and lay down hungry and tired. 

We experienced nothing unusual in this day's solitude, except that we 
were very hungry, and had nothing with which to satisfy it. The air 
was hot and close, and with the attacks of the gnats and musquitos, 
sleep was out of the question. Toward dark we moved eastward to the 
edge of the woods, hoping to find something that would alleviate the 
suffering we were undergoing from hunger. We saw some cabins at a 
distance, to which it was agreed we would send one of the party to seek 
for food. It was Reader's turn to forage, and he went within a short 
distance of the cabins, when seeing some one coming from that direc- 
tion, he stopped and took refuge behind a tree. He supposed it to be 



ESCAPE FROM PRISON. 299 

a black, but was very much astonished to see instead a man with a 
blanket thrown across his shoulder and a haversack strapped to his side, 
and apparently fully equipped. There was not enough light to tell cer- 
tainly whether he was armed, but he had all the appearance of an armed 
soldier ready for the march. He noticed Reader, and having passed 
him a few feet, stopped and said: "Who are you?" There Reader 
stood, not knowing what to do or say. Capture seemed inevitable, and 
he thought, with sinking of heart, of his three comrades safely hidden 
in the woods behind him. It was the worst scrape of the whole trip, 
and it looked as if all his hardships and suffering to keep away from 
Andersonville, were to go for naught. Two ways were open before 
him, submit to recapture, or run and risk being shot. He chose the 
latter. All this occurred in a few moments, ■ and before the new-comer 
had time to say or do anything further, Reader deliberately turned 
from him and walked away, until he had got some distance from him, 
when he turned off into the woods on a run to where he had left his com- 
rades. Singularly enough, no attempt was made to follow him, but he 
was permitted to depart in peace. It was the most puzzling event that 
had occurred to us. We could not come to any satisfactory reason for 
the fellow's conduct, except that he was a deserter from the confederate 
army, and was himself anxious to avoid discovery. A large force was 
but a short distance from us, and it is possible that he was deserting 
from them. We at once changed our quarters, going to a thick part of 
the woods, where we remained for awhile. Hearing nothing further 
that was suspicious, Reader was sent to try what he could do at the 
same cabins, this time following a safer course. When he reached the 
cabins he saw a negro woman sitting in a door, with her back to him. 
Desiring not to alarm anyone, as the plantation house was but a few 
rods distant, he stejqjed up to the woman, laid his hand on her 
shoulder and spoke to her. To his surprise and consternation, she 
jumped to her feet and ran across the room, screaming at the top of her 
voice. Her cries could be heard at all the houses in the immediate 
neighborhood, and the alarm would certainly bring some one to the 
place. He hurried at once to the rear of the cabin and hid against the 
side of an outside chimney. The mud between the logs of the building 
having fallen out in many places, he could see all that was going on in 
the house. The inmates were badly frightened and greatly excited, and 
scarcely knew what they were doing. The woman calmed down suffi- 
ciently to order a boy to take a big dog and go out and see what had 
scared her. They went on their errand, but fortunately were not zeal- 
ous enough in their search to hunt very closely for the fugitive. Pres- 
ently one of the men of the family, a burly black, came into the house, 
and learning the state of affairs, went on the search of Reader, whom he 
found in a few minutes. The latter gave an account of the scare he 
had been the innocent cause of, which amused the old darky greatly. 



30G ESCAPE ERO^f PRISON. 

Reader toKl liiin what he was after, tliat we were escapini^ union ])ris- 
oners and desired food. He promised to Ijrin^; it to us in a few min- 
utes, and showed a place wliere he wcndd meet the party. Reatler tlien 
returned to his comratles and rehUed to them his second adventure. 
The black came to us in a short time with some fried apples, swimniinL,^ 
in grease, a dose that would have sickened an ordinary stomach. 'J1ds 
was the best that he could do, as he said they had not a pountl of meal 
ft)r their family. It was a grievous tlisap[Jointment to us, but there was 
no remedying it now. He gave us directions h(;w to reach the road 
that led to the Weldon railroad, and cautioned us as to the presence of 
confederate soldiers almost everywhere. We jjursued our journey, and 
got along very well for a while, when the rain began to pour down in 
torrents, and we became again lost in another of those Virginia forests. 
The rain ceased in a short time, but we were deep in the woods, not 
having the remotest idea of what course we shoukl take, not being able 
to see the stars, or anything else that woukl indicate the points of the 
compass. We at last reached a fence, beyond which we saw a house, 
which we approached and found to be empty. Being apparently some 
distance from any other house, we concluded to put up in it for the day. 
It was a new house, the best place we found on our trip in which to 
rest, and being free from the little pests that annoyed us in the woods, 
we were able to rest and sleep. 

At dusk we went to the edge of the woods near a house, in which lived 
a family of poor whites. AVe rested witliin a few rods of this house un- 
til it was quite dark, when Anderson went to it, called the man of the 
house to one sitle, and learnetl from him all about the location of the 
confederate forces in that vicinity. Anderson led the man to believe 
that he was a confederate, and thus received from him a good ileal of 
valuable information. We learned that in order to get to our destina- 
tion, we had to pass three camps of cavalry, one stationed at Reams' 
station, one at Stony Creek, and the other camp between the two places, 
the extreme right wing of Lee's army, and from that time on, we were 
not at any time half a mile from armed men. Almost from the hour we 
jumped from the train we were really so situated, but not in so great a 
degree as now, when we were never out of sound of the call of their 
bugles. A moment's exposure in daylight and we were as sure of recap- 
ture as that we lived. Having received this valuable information, 
Anderson returned to us, and we pursued our tramp on the Roydton 
plank road. We had not gone far when we got into difficulty with the 
enemy's pickets and barely escaped capture. We avoided them by 
striking off into the woods and keeping as quiet as possible. 

Of all our experiences in the woods this was the worst. It was a 
swamp of the most treacherous kind, in which we sank as we stepped 
along, making the walking exceedingly tiresome and slow\ We walked 
along in this as we supposed about two miles, when we were brought to 



ESCAPE FROM PRISON. 301 

a stand still, by a little stream that iuijjeded our progress. We followed 
its course for some distance, when we stopped at some logs, wliich we 
hoped would afford a crossing place. I'enninian got off by himself, 
hunting an open ]dace in the woods, where he could see the stars, so as 
to shape our course, and calleil to the rest of the party to come to him. 
The words had scarcely left Ids lips, when the stillness f)f the air was 
broken by — •' AVhcj goes there?" coming from the opposite side of the 
little stream. We found ourselves face to face, almost, with the con- 
federate pickets, and the question was how to escape iioxw them. We 
at once hurried back further into the woods from the stream, thorough- 
ly arousing the pickets, the click of whose guns sounded ominous. We 
sat down at the foot of a large tree, and became as cpiiet as we could, 
awaiting developments from the (jther side. We lay thus for jjerhaps 
an hour, during which time the guards were relieved, and (nir case was 
evidently overlooked, d'here was no further attempt made to find us, 
and they doubtless thought we were wandering negroes. 

As soon as the relief took their place we were ready to proceed. Just 
then the artillery opened -ui) north of us, at Petersburg, indicating the 
direction we were to go. AVe were not long in getting out of that place. 
We i;icked our way carefully and cautiously, until we had got out of 
reach of the guards, and soon were out oi the woods, on the road on 
which the jjickets were stationed. We kejjt our eyes and ears open for 
them, and were fortunate to avoid them at this lime. Taking our course 
from the North star, we struck directly east, aiming to get across the 
Weldon railroad before morning. We soon reached Stony Creek, when, 
looking behind us, we saw a light, which we supposed came from a 
house. It was at once ]M-oposetl to return to the house, and see if we 
coukln't get something to eat. We had about concluded to do so, 
when the call from a bugle was sounded, and wc saw at once that the 
light came from a camp of soldiers. We were but a short distance from 
one of the camps we so greatly feareib \Ve did not stay long here, but 
waded the creek and hurried into the woods. When we had gone a 
short distance, we could see plainly the camp fires and the troops in 
motion, and soon were in the midst of camps and guards, and it re- 
quired all our ingenuity and care to avoid them. The forces were 
nearly all in motion, and though wc were often almost in their grasp, we 
succeeded in dodging them. It was not a pleasant thing to stumble 
within a few yards of a squad of armed men, standing in some cases- 
ar(uind a camp fire, but this became so common to us in our ex])erience 
that night, that we almost expected it. 

Soon we heard a train coming up the railroad, and we went into a 
more open space to watch it, when vv'e saw to our left a camp fire, prob- 
ably not over fifty yards distant, behind a little knoll, and a number of 
soldiers stretched about the fire. We crawled on our hands and knees 
near to an empty log house a few rods in front of us, to ascertain our 



302 ESCAPE EROM PRISON. 

whereabouts. What a sight met our view I All around us were the 
enemy in camp, the guards stationed everywhere, and we were in their 
hands once again, if they but closed in on our hiding place. They 
seemed to be getting ready in some of the camps to go on a march. .\t 
a distance we saw the lights of one camp of cavalry, where the bugles 
were sounding ^md the troops in motion, but we did not care to investi- 
gate the surroundings, and cudgeled our brains how to get out of the 
bad scrape we were in. 15efore us was the Weldon railroad, which we 
had to cross to reach our lines, and we tremblingly moved toward it. 
Now crawling along, again on our hands and knees, and again for a f*;w 
yards on our feet, we moved to the imjiortant place. ^V'hen we had 
gone a short distance we heard a train coming, and we lay down in the 
corn into which we had now found our way, which was sufficiently high 
to screen us from view. We were but a few yards from the track, and 
as the train came thundering along, we were close enough to see the 
soldiers on it. The train was going in the direction of Petersburg, and 
was full inside and on the top, with armed soldiers. ^Vhen the train got 
past we drew a long breath, relieved that this danger was over. We 
then went close to the railroad track and took a view of the surround- 
ings. The road was strongly guarded, but a few minutes' absence of 
the guards would enable us to cross the track in safety. Watching our 
opportunity, when none of them seemed to have an eye on where we 
were, we passed hastily over the road and hurried into the wooils be- 
yond. The critical point was behind us, and we sat chnvn in the forest 
and rejoiced in our safety. 

This day, the 29th, was an exciting one. Our high spirits of the 
night before were considerably dampened. It was the most dangerous 
day that we had experienced, and it seemed scarcely possible that we 
could get out of it as well as we did. We lay all day within less than 
one mile of one of the camps of cavalry. Their bugle calls could be 
heard distinctly, and hundreds of the men were in sight all the time. A 
party of them came within less than twenty feet of us, and could have 
nearly stirred us out with their guns, but fortunately did not learn of 
our whereabouts. We put in an uneasy day and could get no more 
sleep, and even our hunger was forgotten in the great danger that beset 
us. We struck out through the woods when darkness fell upon us, and 
when we reached a clearing, we saw a house a short distance off, to 
which Penniman went for something to eat. When he reached it he 
found the place surrounded by guards, and would have been captured 
had it not been for a black, who pulled him back to a secure place, as 
the guard approached. Inside the house several officers were enjoying 
the hospitalities, and there was no chance to get anything to eat. He 
returned to us in a few minutes and related his adventure, with unstinted 
praise for his rescuer. 

We crossed through another wood stopping near a house. Here 



ESCAPE FROM PRISON 303 

Sweet made up his mind to have a drink of water and something to eat, 
at the risk of his life. He went to the 'house and entered it, and as he 
entered at one door a confederate soldier went out of another one, and 
started to the woods on a run. Sweet got a drink, but did not deem it 
prudent to stay long enough to get anything to eat. The confederate 
pickets were too near for comfort, and we got out of that place just as 
soon as our weary limbs could carry us. We got on to the Prince George 
Court House road, and found an old tobacco case, with an engraving of 
General Meade on it. This satisfied us that the Yankees had been there. 
A little further along, on a high point of land, we saw a body of horse- 
men, but of which army wc could not tell. We debated the question 
for some minutes whether we should make ourselves known to them, but 
finally concluded not to do so, satisfied to endure still greater fatigue 
rather than run the risk of recapture. Wc then left the road, crossed 
down through a field to our left, and came out on the Petersburg pike, 
which we followed, and soon came to a house, where we waked up the 
inmates, requesting them to tell us how far it was to our pickets. We 
represented ourselves as confederates, and of course they thought we 
meant the pickets of that army, and they told us that it was two and 
one-half miles, at the crossing of Mill creek by the pike we were on. 
Wc received from them all the information w^e wished, as to the number 
of the confederate forces near, the distance we were from them, and our 
best and shortest course to all the principal points. We bade them good 
night, thanking them for their information, and went into the orchard, 
where we filled our pockets with green apples for use in camp next day. 
We then went into the woods near to the picket lines and camped, hidden 
securely among the bushes, almost within gunshot of our lines. 

We had a good sleep, but were awakened early by one of the most 
tremendous noises we had ever heard. As we learned afterwards, it was 
caused by blowing up the fort in front of Petersburg. Soon a terrific 
cannonading was begun, and we became deeply interested in it. There 
we lay and listened, eating the green apples we had secured, and spent 
some time in trying to clean ourselves of the vermin, and in resisting the 
attacks of the gnats and musquitos. We had eaten no food for several 
days, and our hunger was intense. AVe had a quantity of salt which we 
used on our green apples, thus avoiding any ill effects from such food, 
but there was no sustenance in it. We had become very weak, and our 
nerves were almost shattered by the intense strain to which we had been 
subjected for some weeks, so much so that the firing of the guns about us 
kept us in constant dread. But strange to say, in all this suffering and 
weakness, we did not lose our hojje and cheerfulness of spirit, nor did 
we ever for a single moment think of giving up our struggle for freedom. 
While listening to the cannonading at Petersburg, we were startled by 
the report of a field piece not far in our front, then another and still 
others, until we made ready 'to vacate our hiding place, feeling sure 



ZOA ESCAPE EROM PRISON. 

tliat iniscliief was in store for us. I'rcscntly wc could hear the ra]>i(l 
firini^ of carbines, all the time inovin,!^ to where we were secreteii, and 
we hurried from the place. We went to the edge of the woods, and fol- 
hjwed it. kee])inL( to the ri.ght and. under co\'er of the trees. The w(^i)d 
was circlin:^ to our left, and we had not followed it far when we could 
see that the firing was now near the spot we hafl left. We walked thus 
perhaps two or three miles, the firing on our left, until we came to a 
point where we ccnild sec the cojUending forces, perliaps a mile distant 
in a direct line, and had a full \iew of the scene of action. A 
fight was in progress and it was a brisk one, but we could not make 
out then which of the lines was (uir own armw but we could see 
tiuit one of the armies had been (lri\en into the wood where 
we were Iddden in the morning, and from which we were driven. 
A\'e learned after our arri\al in our lines that the forces occupying 
our hiding jjjace were confederate cavalr\-, which had been 
forced tlicrc by a force of union ca\alr\-. 'I"he former were those that 
we had seen in motion during our secret night marches, and the bugle 
calls found an explanation. 

As we could go no further without discovery, wc lay down in a piece 
of woods to our light, and watched the ju-ogress of the battle as best we 
could. AVhile thus engaged, a comjiany of cax'alry gallo|)ed past us in 
the direction of the confedei'ate forces. ^\'e were within a hundred 
}'ards of the road, but as the ti'oops were covered with dust, we could 
not tlislinguish their uniforms, to tell to which arm}' they belonged. 
One of us went into tlie field to see if we could make them out. but was 
not able to do so. In the hojie that they would return, Penniman went 
down to the road and hid in some bushes, where he could have a full 
view of them and not be seen Idmself. It was an anxious waiting for 
us. If the\' were union ca\'alry we were saved, but if the}- were of the 
enemy, then our chances of escape were very few. Soon we heard the 
clatter of the horses' feet on the return. Near and nearer they came, 
and all e\'es were strained to get a view of them. ( )h what intensil\- of 
emotion was crowded into that minute of waiting ! I'enniman, at hi:; 
outlool;. was eagerly scanning the road, and his e\cs ne\er left the 
trooi^ers from the moment the)- came in sight until they filed past him. 
He waited ])atiently to see something about them that would shov/ to 
what army they belonged. 

The compan}- came u|) to wliero he !a\' and went ra|)idl\' by him, when 
out of the grime and dust, the blue of some of the uniforms sh(nvcd 
itself, and the truth Hashed on him thai the\- were union soldiers, jump- 
ing to liis feet he \va\'ed his hat and called out at the top of his \'oice: 
"Come on, boys: thank (lod we're safe." Instantl}' scores of carbines 
were raised and covered us, when we called to the troops, "Don't fire: 
we are union soldiers," and e\'er\- cari:)ine fell and we rushed to them, 
safe beneath the authorit)' of the stars and stripes. 



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5.^ APR 82 

N. MANCHESTER, 







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